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Workers in Cyprus saw their annually collectively agreed wage increase by 2.5% in 2008, up from 2.1% in 2007, according to new research from Eurofound, the Dublin-based EU agency charged with providing European social policy-makers with research data, analysis and recommendations. This is the second lowest increase recorded across all 27 Member States in the EU, only behind Malta and on par with Denmark. The development in Cyprus confirms a trend of wage moderation, similar to that of many former EU15 countries.

Economic decline to continue in the United States throughout the remainder of 2009, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in their spring 2009 Semiannual Economic Forecast. Expectations for the remainder of 2009 have weakened in both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors.

The European Commission launched the eYouGuide, a new online tool giving practical advice on the "digital rights" consumers have under EU law. This guide, which responds to a call from the European Parliament in 2007, addresses consumer issues like the rights towards your broadband provider, shopping on the web, downloading music and protecting your personal data online and on social networking sites. Even though 48.5% of EU households have a broadband internet connection, a new Eurobarometer survey shows that a lack of confidence still holds many consumers back from online transactions. Only 12% of EU web users feel safe making transactions on the internet, while 39% of EU internet users have major doubts about safety, and 42% do not dare carry out financial transactions online.

U.S. sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing an impressive 17.1 percent over 2007 sales despite tough economic times, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which made available final results from its 2009 Organic Industry Survey.

Just as the Great Depression contributed to large-scale migrations from certain parts of the U.S., the current recession could be having a similar, historic effect, a new survey from Relocation.com, the leading online consumer resource for moving services, suggests.

Although the downturn has proven tough for workers, those who are still employed say they're gaining more from the experience than just managing to keep their jobs. Seventy-seven percent of professionals interviewed cited at least one positive effect the recession has had on their jobs, including the ability to tackle new projects (53 percent), assume additional responsibility (52 percent) and take on more challenging work (52 percent). But according to most respondents, the extra work has yet to be formally rewarded: Only 12 percent said they have received promotions.

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for thirty-year mortgages remained relatively steady last week. Last week's rate was 5.05 percent, down slightly from 5.07 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by leading real estate Web site Zillow.com®. Meanwhile, rates for 15-year fixed mortgages fell to 4.70 percent, down from 4.72 percent and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages decreased significantly, down to 4.30 percent from 4.38 percent the week prior.

The economy is forcing online retailers to change their marketing tactics in order to acquire and retain customers, according to findings from The State of Retailing Online 2009, the 12th annual Shop.org study conducted by Forrester Research Inc. The survey of 117 online retailers also found that, while the number of companies focusing on customer retention has nearly doubled in the past year, many retailers see the recession as an opportunity to capture market share from weakened competition.

In March 2009 compared with February 2009, the industrial producer price index fell by 0.7% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.8% in the EU27. In February, prices decreased by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.