For the week ending Dec. 6, initial jobless claims were 236,000, a week-over-week increase of 44,000, according to a Department of Labor statement. The four-week moving average increased from 214,750 to 216,750 claims.
Flooring manufacturer AHF Products (Mountville, Penn.) brand Robbins Timber Legends Densified Wood was named a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Home Reno Awards. “Hardwood flooring has always been the gold standard for homeowners—not just for beauty, but for value,” said Milton Goodwin, vice president-hardwood at AHF. “Densified Hardwood is a gamechanger. It offers the timeless appeal of wood with the strength and performance families need today.”
The U.S. international trade deficit in goods and services was down to $52.8 billion in September from $59.3 billion in August (revised), as exports increased more than imports, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report.
A partnership between The International Surface Event (Jan. 26-29 in Las Vegas) and the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors marks an effort to provide meaningful networking and education opportunities at the event. NAFCD, which is dedicated to promoting wholesale distribution in the floor covering industry, will be featured in booth 3212 at tise 2026.
