Retail businesses appear to be proliferating in the region. An electronics chain plans five store openings in Ohio and one in Pittsburgh this year. A major mall, with a capacity of about 130 stores and about 3,000 jobs, opened this month in northeast Ohio. It is expected to attract between 150,000 and 200,000 customers weekly. The impact of the Canadian Auto Workers' strike against General Motors has been difficult to gauge.
Layoffs are minimal as stockpiles have been generally sufficient to maintain regular production.
Auto dealers expressed little concern about product availability as a result of the strike. Only one contact reported stockpiling units in anticipation of strike-related shortages. Sales continued to show moderate strength through September and early October. The majority of dealers report sales higher than last year's, but down just a bit from their level earlier this year. Inventories were at or very slightly above desired levels.