Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.trends From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: trends Thu, Mar 5 1992 Date: Thu, 5 Mar 92 05:55:52 EST Message-ID: 03-05 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update March 5, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network WE'RE FILING TAXES FASTER: People are filing tax returns faster this year. Last year this time, about 15 million people had their tax refunds from the IRS. This year, over 17 million have their returns already. And the average refund has increased too. Last year, the average refund was $934. This year, it's over $1,000. SEVERANCE BENEFITS EXPAND: Some companies are making layoffs a little easier for their employees. According to a survey of 132 companies in eight major cities by Fuchs, Cuthrell, 21% have increased outplacement service. Twenty percent have increased severance pay. Fifteen percent have increased advance notice. And eight percent have increased medical insurance. SOUTH BEACH IS AFFORDABLE FUN: Just as in the depressed 1930s, the South Beach area of Miami Beach, Fla., is hip in the not-so-roaring '90s. It's possible to have a trendy vacation without spending a fortune there. The best activity: People-watching. Tips: Don't rent a car; everything is in walking distance. Hotel rooms can be had for $60 or so after April 15. Add about $25 before then. JAPANESE CARS SELL: It appears that Buy American movements launched in January have had a negligible impact on Japanese auto sales. Toyota, Nissan and Honda all reported healthy increases in February amid industry reports that sales of U.S. and imported cars and trucks fell 10% in the Feb. 21-29 period from a year ago. Sales by Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, climbed 89.3% last month. CFC RECYCLING TAKES HOLD: Under federal law, service work done on automotive air conditioners since Jan. 1 must use recycling equipment to recycle the unit's chlorofluorocarbon coolant - done to prevent the coolant from depleting the ozone layer. The Environmental Protection Agency is still writing rules to cover coolant recycling for central air conditioners but recycling should be in place by year's end. RECYCLING COULD GET A BOOST: Three plastics producers have opened recycling plants recently. They are Phillips Plastic Recycling Partnership; Quantum Chemical Corp.; and Union Carbide Corp. They will take plastic milk bottles and Quantum and Union Carbide will take plastic soda bottles. Union Carbide will accept polythylene film. The plastics industry hopes to boost container recycling to 25% in 1995 from 4% in 1988. SHORT SHORTS ARE BACK: Short shorts appear to be making a comeback this season. The hot fabric: Denim. Sellers of denim sportswear report that mini-shorts in a variety of colors and washes were the best-selling items for late spring and early summer bookings. Sales increases of up to 20% over last spring-summer could be expected. JUNGLE FEVER A HIT: The safari look is heating up both in the USA and Europe, according to industry observers. Both the traditional four-pocket belted look and more streamlined versions are hot. Begedor Italia offers a softly belted safari jacket that covers the hips. Siena's khaki linen and rayon shorts can be paired with a matching safari jacket. Armani's offering is in leather with big pockets. TIFFANY SALES SURGE: It may be time for that little recession-is-over gift. Tiffany Chairman William Chaney said Wednesday that same-store February revenue surged more than 10% from a year ago. Because of the recession, analysts had lowered their earnings estimates. Now, the trend appears to be changing, giving investors confidence. HOTEL INDUSTRY `AROUND CORNER': Two in three of the USA's 27,000 hotels lost money last year, according to Bjorn Hanson of Coopers & Lybrand. But "We're around the corner," says Jill Krutick of Salomon Bros. National hotel occupancy rates are struggling back toward profitable levels. The average room price, $61 a day, is expected to rise slightly this year and show a solid after-inflation increase next year. Trends & Marketing Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM