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Unemployment claims continue to drop

New state unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina dropped slightly last week, decreasing 0.7% to 3,628 for the week that ended Feb. 4, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday.

New claims were down from a revised 3,654 for the week that ended Jan. 21.

By comparison, the COVID-19 pandemic low has been 1,848 claims for the week that ended Jan. 1, 2022.

The state was 18th in the nation in the number of unemployment filings, down one spot from last week.

With no COVID-19 pandemic UI programs available for North Carolinians since Sept. 4, 2021, the claim totals represent new regular state unemployment-benefit claims.

Labor listed 18,766 North Carolinians drawing regular state benefits as of Jan. 28, compared with a revised 19,310 the previous week.

Richard Craver

VF explores sale of three Global Packs brands

VF Corp. confirmed this week it is exploring the sale of its Global Packs business brands that consist of Eastpak, JanSport and Kipling.

VF was based in Greensboro for about 20 years until announcing in August 2018 plans to move its headquarters to Denver in 2019.

"While these iconic and profitable businesses are strong contributors of value, VF is committed to ensuring they are optimally positioned to achieve their full potential while enhancing management focus on the company's greatest strategic priorities," the company said.

Benno Dorer, VR's interim president and chief executive, said in the fourth-quarter earnings report that the apparel marketer "is shifting resource priorities across the company, including by reducing the dividend, exploring the sale of non-core assets, cutting costs and eliminating non-strategic spending, while enhancing the focus on the consumer through targeted investments."

The dividend was reduced from 51 cents per share to 30 cents.

VF also said it expects to close asset sales during the second half of fiscal 2023 that include the sale and leaseback of VF's European headquarters in Stabio, Switzerland.

Richard Craver

Krispy Kreme board declares dividend

Krispy Kreme Inc.'s board of directors declared Thursday a 3.5-cent per share quarterly cash dividend on its common stock.

The dividend is payable May 10 to shareholders registered as of April 26.

Richard Craver

Greensboro agency acquires Raleigh group

RLF Communications, a full-service public relations agency in Greensboro, acquired Baering Group of Raleigh. The deal closed Jan. 31.

The agencies said the acquisition "furthers RLF's strategy to strengthen its footprint across North Carolina, with professional staff in Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte, to serve clients conducting business statewide, nationally and internationally."

RLF said it is gaining seven Baering employees.

Founded in 2004, Baering's clients included agricultural companies, national trade associations, nonprofits and educational institutions. The firm also had a presence in the eastern part of the state.

Richard Craver

Greensboro Dance Center buys building

The Greensboro Dance Center LLC has spent $600,000 to purchase a building near the former Oak Hollow Mall in High Point, according to a Guilford County Register of Deeds filing Wednesday.

The 1.14-acre property at 1070 Mall Loop Road contains a 8,206-square-foot building.

The buyer shares the same 1500 Mill St., Suite 105, Greensboro address as Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

The seller is Fred Vogel Properties II LLC and Jill Vogel Properties II LLC of Ketchum, Idaho.

Richard Craver