Additionally, most respondents reported difficulties in hiring and maintaining workers in the information technology field. As a result of persistently tight labor markets, there were more reports of wage pressures than in previous surveys. Wage pressures were more concentrated in construction activity and areas requiring skilled workers in general, such as information technology employees. Prices were steady to slightly down at the retail level, and prices for most manufacturing materials continued to decline. Prices of some construction materials, such as cement and sheetrock, were up slightly last month, and builders expect them to remain high over the next three months.
Retailers expect no major price changes in the coming months.
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