Etc.

• Two industries seem to be showing some positive inertia on the hiring front. Medical device manufacturing remains strong and may be getting busier while the industries supporting defense contracts appear to be showing some life all of a sudden. Let me know if you notice any new trends.
• Retail appears to be reacting a little more intelligently to the slowdown by capitalizing on busy times. An article in Mycentraljersey.com reported that major malls are trimming back slightly their over abundance of shopping hours under pressure from national chains who do not want to staff stores during periods when no one shops. As a former retailer, this makes very good sense.
• I wonder if the current downturn will force retirement ages upward or downward. This will be interesting to monitor.