Reuters: Small Business News

Black Friday sales barely up, online surges

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:46:39 -0500

CHICAGO (Reuters) - In a worrisome sign for retailers, data released on Saturday showed that sales rose a scant 0.5 percent on the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season despite early signs of a strong showing.

U.S. stimulus funds run out for lower SBA loan fees

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:20:16 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Small Business Administration said on Tuesday that supplemental economic stimulus funds for its two most popular loan programs have run out and new loan volumes could fall if funds are not extended.

Obama jobs forum to seek growth boost on the cheap

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:47:16 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's December jobs forum may be better at serving his political need to show the White House cares about sky-high U.S. unemployment, than discovering new ways to cheaply boost economic growth.

Pancake-in-a-can founder looks at TV to boost sales

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:55:53 -0500

TORONTO (Reuters) - Sean O'Connor has already tasted success from a can and is now cooking up a retro TV ad campaign to expand his reach, and profits.

EXCLUSIVE: Smallest U.S. businesses borrowing again: PayNet

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:29:21 -0500

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The tiniest U.S. small businesses, which led the broader economy into the past two recessions and are widely regarded as the best hope for job creation in any recovery, are showing signs of improved confidence and financial health, according to a new study.

Privately held Facebook sets up dual-class stock

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:33:11 -0500

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook has established a dual-class stock structure to ensure voting control by existing owners, but has no plans to become a public company, it said on Tuesday.

Google buying display advertising startup

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:13:25 -0500

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Web search leader Google Inc said it is buying Silicon Valley display advertising technology startup Teracent, which expands its competition with display leader Yahoo Inc.

Employees in recession are eyeing your top secrets

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:26:12 -0500

LONDON (Reuters) - Almost half the financial sector workers in London and New York say they would take sensitive company information with them if they were fired, according to a new transatlantic survey.

Fallen leaves birth eco-friendly dinnerware company

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:37:30 -0500

-- Deborah L. Cohen covers small business for Reuters.com. She can be reached at smallbusinessbigissues@yahoo.com --

NY Times to Goldman Sachs: Pay up to cut public debt

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:52:21 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York Times editorial slammed Goldman Sachs for its role in the financial crisis and said that instead of paying big bonuses to its employees it should make a multibillion-dollar gift to help reduce the U.S. national debt.