Gas Sucks, So Does Construction Cost

The never-ending cycle of price hikes continues to plague the construction industry, as the prices of key materials surge once again in May. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), overall construction input prices jumped 2.6% compared to the previous month, and are now a whopping 9.6% higher than they were last year. Commercial construction input prices rose 1.6% month over month and are 8% higher than they were last year.

But it's not all doom and gloom, folks. Natural gas prices took a welcome dip of 18.2% in May, providing some much-needed relief to an industry that's been feeling the pinch. And let's not forget those copper wire and cable prices - up 7.3%, but hey, at least they're not as bad as steel mill products, which rose a mere 2.1%. Prepared asphalt, tar roofing and siding prices were up 1.8%, because why wouldn't they be?

In related news, the construction industry is still trying to wrap its head around the ongoing Iran conflict and how it's affecting oil prices. "Oil prices, pushed higher by the ongoing Iran conflict, made a significant contribution to the rise in overall materials prices," said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. And let's be real, folks - we're not exactly thrilled about the thought of iron, steel, and copper prices continuing to rise. But hey, at least we can take some solace in knowing that construction input prices are still only up 9.6% year over year.

Now, onto some other news that might actually make you feel good. Dollar General has promoted Tom Hutchins to senior VP and chief technology officer, where he'll be responsible for driving strategic planning and business integration initiatives. Hutchins will also expand his oversight across key technology areas to further strengthen enterprise alignment, performance, and delivery. And if you're wondering what kind of qualifications make someone eligible for this role, well, let's just say Hutchins has some serious cred - 15 years at Tractor Supply Company, including eight and a half years as VP of technology & strategy.

In other news that might actually put a smile on your face, Dollar General has also promoted Travis Nixon to senior VP, chief data and artificial intelligence (AI) officer. As the company's newly-established AI officer, Nixon will be leading enterprise-wide business process management initiatives, applying AI to identify and drive optimization opportunities across the retail value chain. And if you're wondering what kind of experience makes someone eligible for this role, well, let's just say Nixon has some serious chops - over a decade of experience in machine learning and AI from multiple public technology companies, including Microsoft, Meta, and Dropbox.

And because we couldn't possibly end on a high note without mentioning Halloween, Spirit Halloween is gearing up to open more than 1,500 stores across the U.S. and Canada, and hire more than 52,000 seasonal associates to staff them. That's right, folks - it's never too early to start planning for Halloween, especially when you're Spirit Halloween. And if you're wondering what kind of perks come with working at Spirit Halloween, well, let's just say they've got some pretty sweet deals going on - competitive hourly wages, seasonal pay incentives and retention bonuses, and a 30% employee discount.

Now, onto some other news that might actually make your jaw drop. Buc-ee's expansion continues to take it to new markets, with the convenience store operator set to open its first location in Arizona in Goodyear on June 22. That's right, folks - Buc-ee's is coming to the Grand Canyon State, and we couldn't be more excited. And if you're wondering what kind of amenities this new location will feature, well, let's just say it'll have all the fixin's - massive locations and amenities ranging from "pristine" restrooms and showers to an extensive assortment of specialty food options that include Texas barbecue.

And finally, Pinterest is expanding its Amazon collaboration with a new feature for creators engaging in e-commerce. The visually oriented social platform is offering Amazon storefront linking, a new tool that enables creators to connect their Amazon storefront directly to their Pinterest account. Once connected, the affiliate link is automatically applied whenever they tag an eligible Amazon product. And if you're wondering what kind of impact this might have on the world of social commerce, well, let's just say it could be huge - after all, people come to Pinterest with purpose, and often ready to act on their inspiration.

And that's a wrap, folks! It's been a wild ride, but we hope you've enjoyed our take on the latest news from around the world. From construction prices to Halloween preparations, we've tried to cover it all - so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!