Economic Report Of The President

Data Source: SpendingPulse, MasterCard Advisors. A macro-economic indicator, SpendingPulse reports on national retail sales and is based on aggregate sales activity in the MasterCard payments network, coupled with estimates for all other payment forms, including cash and check. MasterCard SpendingPulse does not represent MasterCard financial performance. SpendingPulse is provided by MasterCard Advisors, the professional services arm of MasterCard Worldwide.

�Overall, sales came in just above the lower end of the range we were expecting, maintaining the slower, modest growth we�ve been seeing throughout the year,� noted Michael McNamara, vice president of research and analysis for MasterCard Advisors.

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts Celebrates Ten Years of Revenue Management ...

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts currently boast 40 stunning beachside, coastal, CBD and country retreat properties throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The right choice for business or for leisure, you will find such well known brands as Quay Grand, The Como, Quay West Suites & Resorts, Sea Temple Resorts & Spas, Cairns International Hotel, Sydney Marriott Hotel, The Sebel Hotels & Resorts, The Sebel Residence and Citigate Hotels, under the Mirvac umbrella brand.

Dick's Sporting Goods Agrees to Acquire Chick's Sporting Goods

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS) and Chick's Sporting Goods, a privately held corporation, have entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement whereby Dick's will acquire Chick's Sporting Goods. Under the terms of the agreement, Dick's has agreed to pay approximately $40 million in cash for the outstanding equity of Chick's. Including the assumption of approximately $31 million of indebtedness, the transaction values Chick's at approximately $71 million, and will be financed using Dick's existing credit facility. Chick's shareholders have the opportunity to earn up to $5 million in additional consideration, upon satisfaction by Chick's of certain specified performance criteria through June, 2008.

Completion of the transaction is contingent upon various customary conditions.

ShopLocal Announces September Retail Index Results

CHICAGO, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- ShopLocal(TM), the leader in multi-channel shopping and marketing services, today released the September 2007 results of the ShopLocal Index, reporting a 29 percent year-over-year increase in the retail industry's first market indicator designed to track the influence of the Internet on in-store shopping. The Index, updated monthly, is based on an average of 20 million monthly consumer visits to store promotions that are presented on the sites of 50 major U.S. retailers, including JC Penney, Best Buy, CompUSA, Walgreen's and Home Depot. These retailers cover major retail segments such as Computers, Consumer Electronics, Office Supplies, Home Improvement, Department Stores, Mass Merchants, Grocery, Drug and various specialty stores.

"Retailers recognize that big ticket items like flat panel LCD TVs have long purchase cycles, and shoppers are beginning to look for them now prior to the important holiday shopping days such as Black Friday which is less than four weeks away," said Vikram Sharma, CEO of ShopLocal.

WebMoney and cashU announce strategic partnership

In the first stage of this partnership, cashU prepaid cards, which are available in over 20 countries in the Middle East can now be used to top up WebMoney accounts. In the coming months, cashU will allow WebMoney's user base to top up their cashU accounts, which they can then use to access cashU's international merchant base. Both WebMoney and cashU provide online payment services to people who lack access to online credit, as these users often do not have bank accounts or credit cards. Incepted in 1998, WebMoney has a formidable presence in Russia and CIS and a worldwide user base of almost four million accounts and over 2 500 merchants. In 2006, WebMoney achieved a transaction volume of $1.45 Billion dollars. cashU's partnership with WebMoney is one in a series of partnerships for both the companies, who see the benefit of having a flexible e-currency exchange system.

French encryption laws to toe the EU line

Speaking in Paris, Fabius claimed the move is further proof of the French government's commitment to answering French citizens concerns over privacy and security.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lionel Jospin announced his intention to promote PCs and the internet within his ministerial departments.

Customers, companies prepare for digital TV switch coming in '09

If you've still got a set of rabbit ears atop an old TV in your house and you don't use cable or a satellite dish, it might be time to consider an upgrade to your home entertainment system.