News Briefs

The price of construction materials rose for the third consecutive month in March. 

Construction input (materials) prices increased 0.5% in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Commercial construction input prices increased 0.9% for the month, and are up 42.8% from February 2020.

Both overall and nonresidential construction input prices are 0.8% higher than one year ago, with commercial construction prices specifically up 1.7%. 

Crude petroleum prices fell considerably in March. But the decline was more than offset by rapidly rising natural gas (up 10.4%), steel (up 7.1%), copper wire and cable ( up 5.5%) and softwood lumber prices (up 4.7%).

In other month over month price increase, prices rose 2.3% for fabricated structural metal products, and were up 2% for adhesives and sealants.

“Construction input prices increased at a rapid pace for the third consecutive month in March and have now risen at a 9.7% annualized rate through the first quarter of 2025,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “The emerging effects of tariffs are glaring in the March data release, with iron and steel, steel mill products and copper wire and cable prices all rising more than 5% for the month.”

 Contractors remain busy for the time being, according toABC’s Consruction Backlog Indicator. But pace of input price escalation, coupled with rising uncertainty, will cause projects to be delayed and canceled if it persists for any meaningful length of time, according to Basu.

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members. 

Ikea is targeting the Lone Star state for expansion.

The Swedish home furnishings giant is building a smaller-format, or “city store,” at The Shops at Park Lane, in midtown Dallas. In addition to the Dallas location, Ikea has two other smaller-format stores in the works in Texas, including a 35,000-sq.-ft. outpost that will open this spring at San Mar Plaza in San Marcos, and one in Rockwell, which is scheduled to open in December. Opening in later 2025, the two-level, 63,000-sq.-ft. store is intended as a place where customers can be inspired and and learn about home furnishings.

[READ MORE: Ikea to expand small store format in 2025]

Ikea's smaller-format is intended as a place where customers can get inspired and learn about home furnishings as well as purchase and/or order items. Opening in later 2025, the Dallas store, called Ikea Dallas-University Park, will feature a curated selection of approximately 3,200 products (including food) available for customers to purchase and take home the same day. The full product range will be available for online ordering, with options for free store pick-up or home delivery at a minimal fee. 

“The opening of Ikea Dallas-University Park is a perfect example of our strategy to develop smaller, more accessible urban store formats, bringing a more connected and accessible Ikea experience to everyone,” said Javier Quiñones, CEO and chief sustainability officer, Ikea U.S.

Ikea currently has five full-sizes stores in Texas, along with three “plan and order points with pick up” locations.   

Burger King has added a restaurant veteran to its C-suite.

Joel Yashinsky has been named chief marketing officer of the quick-serve giant, and will be in charge of executing the company’s existing Reclaim the Flame growth initiative. Launched in 2022, the modernization plan is highlighted by increased advertising efforts, new technology investments, store remodels, and more.

Yashinsky has served as chief marketing officer at Applebee’s since 2018. Prior to that role, he spent more than 18 years in various positions at Burger King’s chief competitor, McDonald’s, including a four year stint as chief marketing officer of McDonald’s Canada from 2010 to 2014.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joel to the Burger King leadership team and the broader BK family,” said Tom Curtis, president of Burger King U.S. & Canada. “Joel joins us at an exciting time for the brand, and brings the ideal mix of strategic marketing experience, brand-building creativity, and leadership expertise to help fuel our next chapter.”

[READ MORE: Walmart+ in first-of-its-kind dining partnership with Burger King]

Burger King operates more than 19,000 locations in more than 120 countries and U.S. territories. Nearly all Burger King restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.

Batteries Plus continued to make efforts towards expansion in the first quarter of 2025.

The specialty battery retailer signed 17 new franchise agreements and opened eight new locations across seven states during the first quarter. With key agreements signed to debut in Hawaii along with expansions in Florida, New Jersey and Texas, Batteries Plus is on pace to have locations open and in development in all 50 states by year's end.

The new franchise signings include seven franchises new to the Batteries Plus system. The eight store openings were spread across Arkansas, Georgia (two locations), Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Carolina and Texas.

[READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Batteries Plus takes on tariffs]

"This strong start to 2025 reflects the continued demand for our products, services, expertise, and franchise opportunity across the country and beyond," said Victor Daher, VP of global franchise development for Batteries Plus. "From new franchisees entering our system to seasoned operators expanding their portfolios, entrepreneurs continue to see Batteries Plus as a stable, high-growth investment backed by innovation, support, and strong unit-level economics."

Looking ahead for the remainder of the year, Batteries Plus is looking to expand its footprint with locations in Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey and Texas.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, Wis., Batteries Plus has over 800 stores open and in development. The retailer offers batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. It also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services.

Quick service restaurants delivering orders via DoorDash have several new artificial intelligence solutions to enhance menus and product imagery.

DoorDash is launching its new AI tools for delivery orders placed through its e-commerce site and app as well as orders placed via its partners’ own digital touchpoints. The solutions include an item description generator, AI-equipped camera, instant photo approvals, and background-enhanced menu photos. 

A brief overview of each new tool follows:  

Item description generator: Takes inputs, such as item names and existing photos, to generate menu descriptions in seconds. Retailers can gain access to the item description generator through the DoorDash business manager app or through the merchant portal.

AI-equipped camera: Available in the DoorDash business manager app, this camera utilizes AI camera vision to enable users to take professional-quality food photos in seconds with real-time feedback on framing, smart lighting, background enhancements, and intuitive cropping tools.

Instant photo approvals: Reviews and approves select menu item photos that meet DoorDash guidelines in one minute. 

Background-enhanced photos: User-generated food photos are automatically adjusted for lighting, re-plating, or modifying the background without altering how the food itself looks.

[READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE Q&A: DoorDash aids customers and retailers with engagement]

“At DoorDash, we believe AI should make life easier for restaurants—not more complicated," said Arpit Dhariwal, head of product, merchant acquisition & growth at DoorDash. "It’s about using automation to enhance the guest experience while keeping the operator’s unique touch front and center. We're excited to help drive more orders, save time, and support continued growth for our restaurant partners."

The overwhelming majority of those celebrating Easter next Sunday plan to make purchases for the holiday. 

Ninety-four percent of Easter shoppers intend to buy something for their holiday celebrations, with the top purchases being food (68%) and candy (57%), according to new data from Numerator, which notes that Easter is the second most popular holiday for candy purchasing after Halloween. Eighteen percent of celebrators plan to purchase alcoholic beverages for their holiday celebrations, with wine (63%), beer (49%), and spirits (45%) being the most popular choices.

Those planning to make purchases plan to spend their dollars at big box stores like Walmart and Costco (57%), grocery stores (54%), discount or dollar stores (30%), and online retailers like Amazon and Etsy (27%). Two-thirds (65%) of celebrators say they plan to spend less than $100 on their Easter celebrations. 

[READ MORE: Walmart prices its Easter meal lower than last year]

A majority (61%) of celebrators plan to gather with family and friends, 41% plan to cook or bake, and 28% plan to decorate their homes. Gen Z is twice as likely to say they will grill or barbecue (26% vs. 13%), order food for takeout or delivery (12% vs. 5% for all celebrators), or go out for drinks (10% vs. 4%). Millennials are more likely to buy gifts than other generations (26% vs. 19%).

A recent forecast from the National Retail Federation predicts that Easter spending will hit $23.6 billion this year. The projected amount is above last year’s $22.4 billion, and close to the record $24 billion spent in 2023.