Salton Presents Continued Listing Plan to NYSE
July 7, 2006. Electric housewares maker Salton, Inc. announced that in accordance with the continued listing criteria set forth by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), on July 3, 2006, it presented a plan to the NYSE demonstrating how it intends to comply with the continued listing standards. Salton previously announced that it was notified by the NYSE that the company was considered "below criteria" because its total market capitalization and its shareholders' equity were each less than U.S. $75 million over a consecutive 30-day trading period. In accordance with the continued listing criteria, the NYSE has up to 45 days to either accept or reject the plan. In the event that the NYSE does not accept the plan, Salton would seek an alternate trading market for its common stock.

Brazil May Industrial Output Increases in May
July 6, 2006. Brazil's industrial output rose more than expected in May, according to Bloomberg. Output increased 4.8 percent in May from a year earlier, after declining 1.9 percent in April, the government said. Seasonally adjusted output rose 1.6 percent from April, the fastest gain in 5 months. Output climbed 3.3 percent in the first five months of this year. For the 12 months through May, industrial output rose 2.6 percent, the government said. Output of durable consumer goods, such as home appliances and personal computers, increased 8.1 percent from a year earlier after posting 0.5 percent growth in April. Production of capital goods, such as machinery, increased 5.9 percent in May, erasing a 0.3 percent decline in April.

U.S. Final Q1 GDP Increases
June 31, 2006. U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2006, according to final estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 1.7 percent. The acceleration in real GDP growth reflected an upturn in PCE for durable goods, an acceleration in exports, an upturn in federal government spending, and an acceleration in equipment and software that were partly offset by a downturn in private inventory investment. Final sales of computers contributed 0.05 percentage point to the first-quarter growth in real GDP after contributing 0.33 percentage point to the fourth-quarter growth. Real exports of goods and services increased 14.7 percent in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 5.1 percent in the fourth. Real imports of goods and services increased 10.7 percent, compared with an increase of 12.1 percent.

The first combined show will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. in 2007. The 20-acre outside demonstration area of Expo will continue. PLANET and PGMS will continue its lawn care, interior plantscaping, landscape management, and design/build/installation educational sessions, as well as a wide range of green industry tracks presented by seasoned industry leaders.

ZigBee Adds Huawei, Schneider Electric and STMicroelectronics to Board
June 28, 2006. The ZigBee(TM) Alliance, whose companies develop wireless solutions for home, commercial and industrial applications, added Huawei Technologies, Schneider Electric and STMicroelectronics, to Promoter-level membership, giving each a seat on the Alliance board. Other such members include BM Group, Ember Corporation, Freescale Semiconductor, Honeywell, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, Philips, Samsung, Siemens, and Texas Instruments.

Huawei Technologies was a Participant-level member and opted to increase its position within the Alliance. Huawei is a leading company in the migration to fixed mobile convergence technology innovation. Schneider Electric was a Participant-level member and is a major player in building automation and builds ZigBee technology into its building control and ultraterminal products. STMicroelectronics was previously a Participant-level member and produces semiconductors that range from extremely complex system-on-chips to simple diodes.

After evaluating the process, Staples and Xerox collaborated to develop a simpler and more productive method for in-store network printing. Instead of depending on standard color forms shipped from a central location, each Staples store now prints shelf tags, sale signs and other point-of-sale materials on-demand and in full-color on a Phaser 8400. In addition, Xerox worked with Staples to standardize Staples' labels and signs, reducing the number of forms from 20 to five. The new process reportedly cuts several steps and helps store associates print signs faster and with fewer errors, giving them more time to serve customers.

ARCA to Open Fourth Outlet in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Market
June 29, 2006. Appliance retailer Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (ARCA) will open a 46,000-square-foot ApplianceSmart factory outlet superstore in Lithia Springs, Georgia, U.S. a western suburb of Atlanta, in the third quarter of 2006. The new factory outlet will be ApplianceSmart's fourth location in metropolitan Atlanta, and the fifteenth retail location in the U.S.

Tweeter Reports Increased Q3 Sales
July 6, 2006. Electronics retailer Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. announced comparable store sales increased 2.4 percent to U.S. $147 million for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006. This is compared to $143 million in the same quarter a year ago. Total revenue from continuing operations decreased 4 percent to $159 million compared to $167 million last year. There were 153 stores in operation this quarter. The same quarter last year began with 171 stores and ended with 160 stores. According to Joe McGruire, Tweeter president and CEO, the increase was helped by a 17-percent increase in flat-panel TV sales.

Gregg Appliances Announces Increased Year-End Results
June 28, 2006. Appliance retailer Gregg Appliances, Inc. reported a 7.7 percent increase in total sales for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2006. Sales increased to U.S. $221.3 million compared to $205.6 million in 2005. Net income was $3.7 million compared to $14.1 million in 2005. Sales for the year increased 12.1 percent to $900.4 million compared to $803.2 million in 2005. Net income was $22.2 million as compared to $29.2 million for the prior-year period. Gregg Appliances said its video business is transitioning as a result of declining consumer demand for projection TVs in favor of plasma and LCD flat panel technology, coupled with an industry-wide supply shortage of larger flat-screen TVs. The supply of large flat-screen TVs has improved sequentially since March and is expected to continue to improve during the second half of calendar 2006.

Electrolux says Twin Clean features accessible fingertip controls located on the vacuum?s soft-grip telescopic wand that allow users to select one of the vacuum?s two speeds and adjust the deep cleaning power brush for carpet and hard floor surfaces. A one-step wand release allows instant transition from on-floor to above-floor cleaning. Twin Clean also features a transparent dust cup that makes it clear for consumers to gauge when the cup is full and ready to be emptied. Twin Clean also features a deluxe stretch hose and a 21-foot cord that give the vacuum a 35-foot cleaning reach and a 14-inch wide cleaning path; built-in crevice and brush accessories; and an automatic cord rewind for quick and neat storage. The Electrolux Twin Clean retails for U.S. $499.99.

Dacor Introduces New Line of Stand-Alone Refrigerators
Appliance maker Dacor introduced the Epicure collection of stand-alone refrigerators. The units, at 36 inches wide and 24 inches deep, are available in stainless steel with French door or standard door configuration, both with bottom freezers. Both configurations boast interiors that can accommodate oversized items such as deli trays and serving platters. In addition to the tightly monitored interior temperatures, Dacor said the units feature a slide-out deli drawer and two crisp drawers, with individual adjustable temperature/humidity controls. The refrigerator also includes an internal water dispenser mounted on the inside wall.

Front-mounted electronic controls provide temperature readouts with monitors that alert users when the internal temperature increases, water filter needs to be changed or if the door is left ajar for several minutes. The units are Energy Star(R)-compliant and feature Adaptive/Pre-emptive Defrost, which tracks refrigerator door usage, then sets maintains optimum point temperatures that are adjusted to fit the usage patterns. At known intervals of heavy usage, the units adjust accordingly to keep food fresher longer. The company first launched its refrigeration products earlier in 2006 with the Epicure Built-In, Side-By-Side Refrigerators in 42-inch and 48-inch models, which was followed by the recent launch of the company's new Dual-Zone and Single-Zone WineSteward(TM) and its new Beverage Center.

Brazil Adopts Japan Digital TV Standard
June 30, 2006. Brazil selected a high-definition (HD) digital TV system based on a Japanese standard for its more than 120 million television viewers, instead of the standards used in Europe and the United States, according to reports by the AP and Reuters. The new system is expected to be operational within 7 years and the transition to digital TV from the current analog model will occur over 10 years. The system will permit HD images, interactive use with Internet functions and portable reception. Ronaldo Seron, commercial director of Victor Company of Japan Ltd., or JVC, in Brazil said that because of Brazil's decision, JVC will start studying the possibility of producing TV sets in Brazil, where it currently makes audio equipment, digital cameras and DVD players, among others consumer goods. "The big advantage of going digital with the Japanese standard is the portability and mobility it offers the consumer," he said. "The ability to receive TV signals on cell phones and small portable sets will open up brand new horizons for manufacturers who will benefit from increased sales and for TV networks who will see their audiences soar."