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 Mon, May 4 1992 Date: Mon, 4 May 92 05:17:38 EDT Message-ID: 05-04 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update May 4, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network ROLLER COASTERS ON THE RISE: Roller coasters, which have had their ups and downs, are riding a wave of popularity. Nineteen new and renovated ones this summer bring North America's total to 226, the most since the Depression. "If you're a roller coaster lover, this is a wonderful time to be alive," gushes Paul Ruben, North American editor for Park World Magazine. He says they are getting bigger, faster and wilder. COASTERS BIG ACROSS THE USA: From coast to coast, new roller coasters are popping up this year. Magic Mountain's Flashback, in Valencia, Calif., which opened last Saturday, is the latest addition. Also, the Drachen Fire at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., took its place in the record books April 4 as the USA's fastest and tallest steel coaster. Reaching heights of 150 feet, it hits speeds of 60 miles per hour. MEN SPEND MORE ON SPORTS SHOES: Women purchased more pairs of athletic shoes last year, but men spent more per pair. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, women bought 169 million pairs of athletic shoes in 1991, while men bought 114 million pairs. Men paid an average price of $44.16 for their shoes, though, and women averaged just $29.44 per pair. HOME-EQUITY LOANS INCREASE: Steady or falling house values the past few years have not deterred owners from borrowing against their homes. David Olson Research reports that home-equity loans have been on the rise since 1987. In 1987 there were $232 billion in home-equity loans outstanding. In April, 1992, that number was up to $365 billion. GM TAKES CARS TO THE CUSTOMERS: Traffic at many General Motors dealerships has been down recently, so GM is going to the customers. Over the weekend in McLean, Va., just outside Washington, 786 people showed up at the "GM Quality Road Test" at a shopping center. GM's Washington public relations chief, Bill Noack, says it's likely GM will repeat the test drive in other cities but hasn't decided which ones. OLD OLDS' NOT COMING BACK: General Motors Olds division has decide to reallocate its marketing dollars to focus on its core products, says spokesman Gus Buenz. Results: Two long-standing, but slow-selling models - Toronado luxury coupe and Custom Cruiser station wagon - will not be built after the 1992 model year. Olds plans a new flagship car late in 1993 to replace the Toronado, first built in 1965. FUND NEWSLETTERS POPULAR: The increase in money flowing into mutual funds - investors have added $10 billion a month to stock and bond funds in the past six months - has led to a surge in fund newsletters. Analysts say no one keeps track of the number of newsletters, but they say publishers are creating more newsletters and direct-mail promotions to bring back readers lost after the stock market crash of 1987. CIRCULATION INCREASES: Though the mutual fund newsletter industry is not tracked closely, analysts say one gauge of the industry's rising fortunes is the circulation of Mutual Fund Forecaster, by most accounts the largest-circulation fund letter. Its circulation has risen from 130,000 just after the stock market crashed in 1987 to 190,000 today, says Publisher Glen King Parker. SAVINGS BOND RATE DROPS: The U.S. savings bond rate dropped to 5.58% Friday, the lowest since the Treasury began selling variable rate bonds in 1982. The new rate, effective from May through October, is down from 6.38% the previous six month period. FUTURE OF NEWSPAPERS DISCUSSED: The future of newspapers will discussed at the American Newspaper Publishers Association meeting in New York Monday. Faced with declining readership and competition from other news sources and hurt by the recession, the industry is making big changes to keep newspapers alive. MARRIOTT HAS NEW DEALS: Marriott is joining Sheraton in offering new rate discount plans tied to advanced purchase. Starting Monday, more than 185 Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites launch two types of non-refundable summer rates that must be purchased at least 21 or at least 14 days ahead. Last week, Sheraton also introduced a discount rate that requires reservations - but not purchase - 14 days ahead. GROWTH SEEN IN SECTORS: The manufacturing and construction industries continue to do well. The National Association of Purchasing Management's index of growth slipped to 51.3% in April from 54.1% in March. But a reading above 50% indicates growth. Also, the Commerce Department said construction spending rose 1.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $420 billion in March. Trends & Marketing Editor: Jason Smith. (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