From Wells Fargo Securities

Consumer confidence posted a larger-than-expected 6.1 point gain in December, reaching 78.1. While the overall index is still short of the post-recession high reached around the middle of the year, December's consumer confidence survey shows consistent improvement in nearly every key component. Most notably, consumers feel more optimistic about employment conditions. The improvement coincides with recent declines in the unemployment rate.

From Forbes Business

Pelican Reef Wicker and its Panama Jack Outdoor brand have established a new, second permanent showroom location. The showroom will feature the best-selling Panama Jack Outdoor and Pelican Reef collections. It will be available to our southern states customers on a daily basis and not only during Market shows.

The new showroom will be unveiled just in time for the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market taking place January 7-14 and will be located in Building 2-Suite 10-C112, Atlanta, Georgia.

After being a temporary exhibitor for a number of years, Pelican Reef realized the importance of establishing a permanent presence for a continued relationship with existing and future customers.

The company's first permanent showroom is located in Chicago, Illinois, at the prestigious Merchandise Mart facility.

All of the company's customer service, operations, accounting and product development staff will be based out of its Florida headquarters.

The showroom in Atlanta's Mart will be open daily and managed by The Gardens 10th floor manager Andree Daly who can be reached at (404) 220-2050 or via email at adaly@americasmart.com.

Lloyd Flanders is opening a new showroom at the Gardens of the AmericasMart in Atlanta. The newly-designed space will open officially during the January Atlanta Gift Show and will be open year 'round.

"We are very excited to be a part of this exciting presentation in Atlanta's AmericasMart," said Warren Juliano, Lloyd Flanders' vice president and national sales manager. The Gardens is staffed year 'round by well trained, professional managers who specialize in serving the region's design community."