On the positive side, the Commerce Department reports U.S.factory orders rose 0.4 percent in June, beating analysts' expectations.

VOA: standard.2009.08.05

To achieve that sort of number means massive migration online from shop-front or factory-door commerce.

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Separately, the Commerce Department said factory orders dropped 5.1% in October, the largest decrease since an 8.5% fall in July 2000, and well off the 4.5% slip expected by Wall Street.

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In notable economic news this week, the Commerce Department announced that new orders for factory goods increased sharply in February.

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