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5 Big Stories: The Week in Business

A look back at the week's top stories

By Scott Long, Times Staff Writer
Published November 25, 2007

1. It's deals galore on Black Friday

Stores opened earlier, and discounted deeper, on the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

What it means:Retailers, anxious about competing with soaring prices for gasoline, insurance and housing, pull out the stops in hopes that the two most important months of the year can exceed modest predictions.

2. Keep an eye out for dangerous toys

In a year of high-profile toy recalls, consumer groups and the government held news conferences to warn holiday shoppers and push for stronger oversight.

What it means: Lead-filled toys made in China have been yanked from store shelves, and no doubt some of those gifts under the tree are bad, too. So will parents be able to fulfill holiday wish lists safely this season?

3. Port's future unveiled next week

Tampa's maritime community will get its first peek at a 20-year plan to develop the Port of Tampa.

What it means: Cargo volume is down at the port, and officials disagree on what that means. The business plan, due on Thursday, will be a large clue to what direction port officials will take, and how many jobs may result.

4. Housing sales continue down, down, down

Sales of single-family existing homes dip 29 percent in Florida, a trend playing out in all but four states across the country.

What it means:Pessimism is still the word on at least the short -term future of housing. But interestingly, homes continue to appreciate in most states. In Florida, too? Um, sorry.

5. Old Navy freshens up

The Gap concept that used to run those funky commercials is overhauling its look.

What it means: Nothing is sacred in the update to "ON." Retailing vet Dawn Robertson, trying to spin the magic she did in Australia, hopes the changes catch the eyes of 22- to 30-year-olds.

[Last modified November 23, 2007, 19:28:22]