Chmura Economics & Analytics

🎄 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗔 𝗛𝗼-𝗛𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻? In her recent article for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, CEO and Chief Economist Dr. Chris Chmura makes sense of the holiday spending predictions. Expectations for consumer spending are more restrained than last year, despite positive economic signs like job growth and moderating inflation. Predictions from Deloitte and the National Retail Federation (NRF) both suggest a modest increase in holiday sales this year—projected to grow just slightly above inflation. • 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 - NRF forecasts a 2.5% to 3.5% rise, compared to last year’s 3.9%. • 𝗘-𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 - Online sales are expected to outpace overall growth with a 7-9% increase as shoppers look for deals. • 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 - Rising consumer credit delinquencies, slowing employment growth, and high prices for essentials may limit discretionary spending. 🎅Even Santa-related job postings are down significantly this year, reflecting softer demand. The 2024 holiday season may feel more muted for retailers as spending growth slows—raising the stakes for strategic pricing and promotions. 🔗 Read the full article here:

Senior Labor Economist and our Director of Consulting, Francesco Renna sheds some light on the BEA’s first estimate of GDP growth in the third quarter of 2024, the employment situation report, and recent shifts in consumer confidence as we approach the end of the year. 🌐📈 Understanding these trends is crucial for strategic planning and decision-making. At Chmura, we’re committed to providing data-driven insights that help leaders stay ahead of economic shifts. Follow Francesco to stay in the know on the latest market trends or sign up at the link below to get our  #weeklyeconomicupdate in your inbox! 📈

📰 In a recent article for The Seattle Times, Mike Chmura helps shed light on Seattle’s position as a growing #AI hub—and the hurdles both candidates and companies face. While Seattle ranks among the top U.S. cities for #AIhiring, it’s not always a straightforward journey for job seekers or employers. • 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - Seattle is seeing a surge in AI job postings, largely from tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft. With such competition, even highly qualified candidates face challenges in landing roles. • 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 - Companies report difficulty finding candidates with the niche expertise needed for today’s AI projects, particularly as the field requires constant upskilling to keep up with new advancements. • 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀 - Many candidates are vying for entry into this booming market, but without specialized experience, they often struggle to stand out. 💡 Seattle’s AI hiring landscape is a great example of the broader trends across the AI job market. What shifts have you seen in your market? Share your thoughts and observations with us in the comments below! To dive deeper, check out the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q02WrfjD0

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⏳Time is running out -- final call for early bird pricing! Grab your tickets for 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 at the early bird rate! This is your last chance to save big on registration before prices go up after October 31. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear from top-tier experts, engage in powerful sessions, and explore Nashville with the Chmura team. Secure your spot and save before it’s too late! 📅 Event Dates: April 14–17, 2025 | Location: Nashville, TN 🔗 Register before the deadline: https://hubs.la/Q02W7KSg0

🏠 Challenges in the housing market? Existing home sales are hitting their lowest level since 2010 and mortgage applications are still on the decline. Yet, new home sales are up? Senior Labor Economist and our Director of Consulting, Francesco Renna makes sense of it all as he breaks down the weekly economic highlights. Follow him to stay in the know on the latest market trends or sign up at the link below to get our #weeklyeconomicupdate in your inbox! 📈

📊 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? At Chmura, we believe informed decisions make all the difference—and that’s where JobsEQ comes in. With customizable tools for economic analysis and workforce insights, JobsEQ helps businesses, educators, and policymakers make the best choices for growth and resilience. Whether you’re analyzing emerging industry trends or setting benchmarks for competitive wages, JobsEQ’s insights are built to empower you. Let’s drive strategic planning together with the data that matters. Want to see how it can work for you? Let’s connect! 🤝 🔗https://hubs.la/Q02VT4Ym0

⏳Time is running out -- one more week for early bird pricing! Grab your tickets for 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 at the early bird rate! This is your last chance to save big on registration before prices go up after October 31. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear from top-tier experts, engage in powerful sessions, and explore Nashville with the Chmura team. Secure your spot and save before it’s too late! 📅 Event Dates: April 14–17, 2025 | Location: Nashville, TN 🔗 Register before the deadline: https://hubs.la/Q02VGyD20

🎓 JobsEQ helps students and policymakers make data-driven decisions. Students need reliable data on how different institutions and programs will impact their future careers in order to choose the best educational path. At the same time, policymakers must understand which post-secondary programs are most likely to help graduates succeed in the evolving job market. While predicting the future is never easy, having the right data can make all the difference. JobsEQ equips #HigherEducation institutions and decision-makers with the #labormarket insights they need to guide students and inform policy decisions—ultimately shaping better futures. Drive smarter investments in education and workforce development with JobsEQ. 🌟