To keep your mind off Sunday’s significant Saints game for a moment, here’s a look back at the week’s top business news:
Monday, Dec. 2
The Associated Press reported that “Cyber Monday is still holding up as the biggest online shopping day of the year, even though many of the same deals have been available online for weeks and the name harks back to the days of dial-up modems. Shoppers are expected to spend a record $9.4 billion on purchases made on their phones and computers Monday, up about 19% from last year’s Cyber Monday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions at 80 of the top 100 U.S. online stores.”
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Meanwhile, “Giving Tuesday” proved to be a boon for nonprofit organizations. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports: “As the day that kicks off year-end appeals wrapped up, U.S. nonprofits had raised an estimated $511 million online and twice as much offline. Many organizations fared better than in 2018 and took advantage of a variety of creative approaches to draw attention. Still, some say the deluge of email appeals may be turning off donors.”
Speaking of giving, the Associated Press reported this week that “Louisiana’s farmers have collected more than $180 million from President Donald Trump’s multibillion-dollar bailout package for farmers hurt by the United States’ trade war with China.”
Wednesday, Dec. 4
The spirit of giving continued for another day when the Jefferson Parish School Board approved a plan to give two five-year tax exemptions to Cornerstone Chemical Co. The company asked for and received the exemptions despite Jefferson Parish voters recently approving a new property tax specifically to fund pay raises for public school teachers.
The Rouses Market on Tchoupitoulas Street was almost giving away avocados after partnering with Villita Avocados to stack 112,000 of them in its store to break the Guiness World Record for most avocados on display.
The International WorkBoat Show returned Wednesday through Friday for its 39th event in New Orleans. The annual conference is a huge gathering for shipbuilders, naval architects, port officials, oil and gas companies and anybody who works in industries along Louisiana’s coast or waterways.
Also Wednesday, Gov. John Bel Edwards received a warm welcome from the audience at a New Orleans Chamber event where he discussed Louisiana’s strengthening economy and highlighted plans for his second term in office. His priorities include workforce development, early childhood education and continued economic growth.
The owners of the Clearview Mall announced plans to invest $100 million in a redevelopment that will bring a hotel, apartments, an outdoor event space and more restaurants. The new name of the mixed-use development will be the Clearview City Center.
Thursday, Dec. 5
The 230-room Art Deco-style Higgins Hotel & Conference Center opened for business on Magazine Street across the street from the continuously expanding National World World II Museum. Check out our video. The hotel holds a grand piano once owned by Gen. George S. Patton, a rooftop bar named after Rosie the Riveter and decor inspired by the style that was popular during the 1930s and ’40s. Of course, the hotel is named after Andrew Higgins, the New Orleans shipbuilder who designed and manufactured a landing craft that was essential to the Allied victory.
The Associated Press reported that four major websites used for wedding planning are “revising their policies on content referencing former slave plantations, responding to an advocacy group’s campaign urging the companies to stop promoting venues where black people were once brutalized.”
Friday, Dec. 6
Alex Geriner started his furniture design business, Doorman Designs, by making a headboard out of a Katrina-damaged door back in 2009. Now, he sells his creations to customers “on every continent except Antartica” and he’s just moved his crew into a new workshop in Algiers Point. BizNewOrleans.com took a tour.
And, finally, from a City Council press release: “Following last month’s “Tampon Tax Protest,” the New Orleans City Council adopted Resolution R-19-497 by President Helena Moreno, urging the Louisiana State Legislature to champion legislation that would end local taxes on feminine hygiene products and diapers.”
