Hispanic Business Newsletter: Economy vs. Shopping Habits; Stimulus Scammers

Americans' Shopping Habits are Changing with the Economy

Economy Has Consumers Feeling the Urge to Purge

Americans love to shop. Now economic and social forces are combining to stifle the decades-long buying binge. Not only is money tight with food and gas prices rising, but credit is tougher to come by and homes are no longer available as an ATM. At the same time, the spread of eco-consciousness into mainstream culture is prompting many consumers to reconsider how they shop. While any economic slump causes consumers to re-evaluate spending, retailers say this downturn appears to be

Florida Hispanics Now Lean Toward Democrats

Florida now has more Hispanic voters registered as Democrats than Republicans. The difference is small -- less than a percentage point. But it reflects a long-term demographic shift that could benefit Democrats: the increasing dominance of non-Cubans, particularly Puerto Ricans, among Floridians of Hispanic descent.

Stimulus Checks Stimulate . . . Scammers

Anticipation about the incoming economic stimulus checks is spurring a number of e-mail and telephone scams by scammers pretending to be from the IRS -- so citizens should beware.

United, US Airways Fly Closer to Merger

United Airlines is closing in on a merger with US Airways, sources say, after being spurned by Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

HispanTelligence Research

Hispanic-Owned Businesses: Growth Projections to 2012

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States is expected to grow 41.8 percent in the next six years to 4.3 million, with total revenues surging 39 percent to more than $539 billion, according to new estimates by HispanTelligence. Spurred by growing entrepreneurial trends and affluence among the nation's largest minority population, the increase is expected to come at a robust rate of 8.5 and 8.7 percent, respectfully, over the next couple years.

Purchase the 2007 Hispanic Business 500 Directory

For more than two decades, the annual Hispanic Business 500 directory has served as a barometer of the U.S. Hispanic economy. A purchase of the 2007 directory provides the top 500 Hispanic-owned companies list in Excel format including: CEO names; company addresses and telephone numbers; e-mail addresses for 375 companies and Web addresses for 430 companies; and company revenue and employees numbers for 2005 and 2006.

2.2 Million Hispanic-Owned Firms Estimated to Generate Almost $400B

Entrepreneurship--the willingness to take a risk and start one's own business--has always been the driving force of the U.S. economy. Research indicates that among American minority groups, Hispanics are the most likely to start their own businesses. The most recent government data show Hispanics own the largest number of firms.

From the current issue of Hispanic Business magazine...

Green Building Boom: Architects, Builders & Buyers Seek Energy Efficiency

Despite the current downturn in housing, the long-term prospects of green housing look promising. Backing up that belief is a recent American Institute of Architects poll that indicated that a remarkable 91 percent of registered voters nationwide would pay more for a house if it has a reduced destructive impact on nature. Just exactly what constitutes a "green" house is up for interpretation, but anything that saves energy, and reduces waste and pollution qualifies.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund: 'Speaking the Language of Business'

By awarding a whopping 82,000 college scholarships worth more than $221 million, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund may be breaking all records for nonprofit success. Founded in 1975 to boost college education among U.S. Hispanics, the fund has changed the lives of tens of thousands of Hispanic students. As the nation's preeminent organization supporting Hispanic higher education, and one of Hispanic Business magazine's Top 25 nonprofits, the fund reportedly is a model of efficiency and results.

Green Investing, The Color of Money

In the financial world, green can beget green--in all sorts of ways. In the past, "going green" meant protecting the planet, but today, it increasingly also means the potential profits reaped from environmental investments. "Green investing" focuses on a range of environmental and social concerns. Also called Socially Responsible Investing, or SRI, by analysts, its assets have blown through the roof in the past few years.

Hispanics in Philanthropy--'Thinking Big' Leads to Success

There is a shadow looming over the world of Hispanic nonprofits, threatening many with insolvency. Hundreds of charitable organizations confront the disturbing fact that a mere 1.2 percent of the donations from national foundations go to Hispanic nonprofits. One organization, however, that has bucked this trend is the highly successful San Francisco-based Hispanics in Philanthropy, or HIP. Aggressive, savvy, and international in scope, HIP is filling a small but critically important niche.

You are subscribed as #EMAIL#
To UNSUBSCRIBE or manage your subscription options, go to
http://email.hbinc.com/email/