Bottom Line Blog Office of Economic Development

Bottom Line

News from Seattle's Office of Economic Development

Google Wallet launches

by

Google Wallet launches
The Washington Post
Don’t like having a wallet? No problem.  Google Wallet has launched, taking away the need for thick wallets and heavy billfolds and putting it all into your phone.  Don’t blink, the spending of the future is here.

Is too much retail in Seattle a bad thing?
Crosscut
There is a paradox in city planning: cities need spaces for people to live, but  they also need spaces for stores.  The question becomes how to find the delicate equilibrium between the two.  For Seattle, this question looms in the downtown area as the city looks towards mixed-use development.

Sur La Table sold to Investcorp
The Seattle Times
Investcorp, a Bahrain-based investment firm, announced that it has aquired Sur La Table.  Susanna Linse, a spokeswoman for Sur La Table, said that there were no major staffing changes or layoffs planned.

________________________________________________________________________

As a service to the Seattle business community, the Office of Economic Development curates a daily business news blast, Daily Digest. As a feature on Bottom Line, we’re posting a handful of stories from the Daily Digest every day. Find the stories informative or helpful? Keep checking Bottom Line or sign up for Daily Digest to receive the full version in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Daily Digest here.

Seattle Franchise Opportunities Seminar teaches how to be in business for yourself, not by yourself

by

On Saturday, August 21st, the Seattle Franchise Opportunities Seminar will offer veterans, minorities, and women a chance to learn about franchising opportunities, financing, and other fundamentals of franchising. The event is hosted by the International Franchise Association and the local resource partners include the Office of Economic Development, Washington Small Business Development Centers, Washington Women’s Business Center, Tabor 100, and the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund. 

Registration is $25 and open to the public.  To register, please call 206-324-4330 ext. 100. The seminar includes a continental breakfast, lunch and session materials.  The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This program is great for people who are interested in learning about the fundamentals of franchising, obtaining a franchise, legal aspects of franchising, funding and technical assistance, finding a new retail location site, and increasing the diversity within their franchise.

For more information about this seminar, please click here.

Retailers prepare for consumer comeback

by

Retailers prepare for consumer comeback
Seattle Times
Shoppers have started to show they’re willing and able to spend more, and stores are tweaking their merchandise to accommodate them.

Economic plan aims at bringing new industry cluster opportunities to King County  
enterpriseSeattle
For the past five years, enterpriseSeattle, a public-private economic development partnership for King County and the 39 cities, has focused its attention on five top “industry clusters” where this region exceeds the national average in terms of job concentration.

Event season has arrived in Seattle  
Xconomy
Upcoming events like Seattle 2.0, Twiistup, and the State of Technology Luncheon will attract start-up companies, tech investors and entrepreneurs, and business advocates from all over the Pacific Northwest.

___________________________________________________________ 

As a service to the Seattle business community, the Office of Economic Development curates a daily business news blast, Daily Digest. As a new trial feature on Bottom Line, we’re posting a handful of stories from the Daily Digest every day.  Find the stories informative or helpful? Keep checking Bottom Line or sign up for Daily Digest to receive the full version in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Daily Digest here.