Mar 29, 2010

Good news on two counts!

Take a minute to check out these two stories.

You must read it! Did you know truckers are taking up quilting and knitting in the downtime between runs? Read this article from today’s Wall Street Journal. Not yet done openly in the nation’s truck stops, it’s something of a closet activity for the mostly male trucker demographic, while sequestered in their cabs between runs. This reminds me of sailors years ago knitting, knot tying and creating intricate shell art for sweethearts back home. And, why not? Or — it’s about time!

Is there some marketing potential here? Billboard placement, by the nearest truck stop, perhaps? Small project kits to be done in small spaces? Something to look into, and expend some creative thought on. Who knows where this might lead?

The second article from Bloomberg.com talks about how consumer spending is up and it’s not just a blip. So much emphasis has been on the 10 percent unemployment rate, but as this article points out 90 percent of Americans who wish to be employed, are employed. These folks held off on spending because of economic uncertainty. Now as consumers are gaining confidence, there is a “large reservoir of pent-up consumer demand” and things seem to be on the upswing. Whew!