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| Income in the United States by percentile, normalized to 2007 costs. All social classes grew wealthier during the 1950s and 1960s, but the lowest percentiles have only seen marginal improvement since then. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
To all our readers: Merry Christmas!
To celebrate this year we have some music and a set of fun facts.
First some music for you. Once again we are providing you with some Christmas music. Not Jazz this year; we cannot top the Duke. Here is a Christmas polka from Bob Dylan:
Next some fun facts about the holiday from our friends at the United States Census Bureau:
Rush to the Stores
$24.4 billion
Estimated retail sales by the nation’s department stores (including leased departments) in December 2013. This represents an estimated 40.9 percent jump from the previous month when retail sales were estimated at 17.3 billion. No other month-to-month increase in department store sales last year was as large. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade Survey
Note: Leased departments are separately owned businesses operated as departments or concessions of other service establishments or of retail businesses, such as a separately owned shoeshine parlor in a barber shop, or a beauty shop in a department store. Also, retail sales and inventory estimates have not been adjusted to account for seasonal or pricing variations.
13.9%
The estimated percentage of total 2013 sales for department stores (including leased departments) in December. For jewelry stores, the estimated percentage was 19.1 percent. Source: U.S. CensusBureau, Monthly Retail Trade Survey
22.8%
The estimated growth in inventories by our nation’s department stores (excluding leased departments) from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30, 2013. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade Survey
$44.5 billion
Estimated value of retail sales by electronic shopping and mail-order houses in December 2013 — the highest total for any month last year. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade Survey
30,185
The number of electronic shopping and mail-order houses in business in 2012. These businesses, which employed 365,508 workers in the pay period including March 12, are a popular source of holiday gifts. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 County Business Patternshttp://factfinder2.census.gov/
Christmas Trees and Decorations
$1.0 billion
The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from China between January and September 2014. China was the leading country of origin for such items. Similarly, China was the leading foreign source of artificial Christmas trees shipped to the United States ($137.5 million worth) during the same period. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics http://www.census.gov/foreign-
Where the Toys are ... Made
563
The number of locations that primarily produced dolls, toys, and games in 2012; they employed 7,481 workers in the pay period including March 12. California led the nation with 95 establishments. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 County Business Patterns
Holiday Names
Place names associated with the holiday season consist of a dozen places named Holly including Mount Holly, N.C. (population 13,904) and Holly Springs, Miss. (7,558). There is Snowflake, Ariz. (5,576), Santa Claus, Ind. (2,501), North Pole, Alaska (2,214), Noel, Mo. (1,809) and — if you know about reindeer — Dasher, Ga. (944) and the village of Rudolph, Wis. (436). There is also Santa Claus, Ga. (167). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates http://www.census.gov/popest/
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