6. Public Universities
The (recession) may be hurting public colleges' budgets, but it's boosting their appeal to students. The Connecticut State University System expects an 11 percent rise in applications this year, while Oregon State University's (applications) have grown by 12 percent. And in a record-breaking year at the University of Texas, numbers are up 6 percent.
8. McDonald's
Waistlines won't thin along with wallets if sales (figures) at the nation's biggest fast-food chain are any indication.
McDonald's same-store sales in the United States rose 6.8 percent in February 2009. But not all cheap eats have prospered. Sales at the pricier Arby's (dropped) by 8.5 percent in the fourth quarter, slamming the Wendy's/Arby's Group with a $393.2 million loss.
Pizza chains also have been (hit), with same-store sales falling 3 percent in the fourth quarter at Domino's and 1 percent at Pizza Hut.
9. Career Development Websites
Traffic to job sites increased 20 (percent) in January 2009 from the year before, according to Nielsen Online. That was driven not only by the unemployed (but) by people who still had jobs.
People are seeking out information in more old-fashioned ways, too. Borders says its sales of career guides are (up) from last year.
10. At-Home Coffee Brews
The economy must be bad when even Starbucks, purveyor of $4 lattes, introduces its first value menu. But while the powerhouse's profits fell 69 percent in the fourth (quarter) of last year, revenue at Vermont's Green Mountain Coffee Roasters climbed 56 percent.
And retailers have been selling Mr. Coffee's coffee makers faster than the company can ship them, says Matt Ragland, vice president of marketing, with sales of coffee makers and accessories rising (almost) 5 percent from last year.
Questions)
1. How does the crisis affect you?
2. What’s your career development?
