Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/6/2014

Small business payrolls flat in October

U.S. small business held the line on hiring last month, with a larger percentage reporting job openings they could not fill, a survey released on Thursday showed. Read more from Reuters and see the report from the National Federation of Independent Business.

Transportation Trends
More airlines pile on fees

Nickel and diming used to be a niche practice in the airline business. Now it's becoming an industry standard.

Budget airlines, like Spirit, based in Miramar, have led the charge towards cheapness, offering bare bones tickets that come with little else.

» More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Cott Corp. buys provider of water and coffee drinks for $1.25 billion

Cott Corp., a carbonated soft drink maker with dual headquarters in Tampa and Ontario, Canada, has agreed to buy DSS Group Inc. for about $1.25 billion. The deal will extend Cott's beverage portfolio into water and coffee delivery services, water filtration services, and retail services. Atlanta-based DS has about 1.5 million customers. More at the Tampa Bay Times. The full press release from Cott is here.

Related, from Florida Trend's archives:
» Cott Corp. is king of pop (a company profile)

Florida stylists cut space, become business owners

A growing trend of people own individual salons inside buildings that contain upward of 30 other stylists, manicurists and masseurs. It's a thriving trend around the country and has recently begun expanding in Florida. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

New hires for UF, FSU up for confirmation

Florida's appointed board that oversees the state university system is deciding whether to confirm new presidents for the University of Florida and Florida State University. More at the AP.

Another good year for sea turtles nesting in Florida

In 2014, loggerhead turtle nest numbers remained high and leatherback turtle nesting reached a new record in the state according to FWC research scientists. More at the Star.

Sports Business
Kick Starter

Almost single-handedly, Aaron Davidson re-established pro soccer in Florida with his media company, Traffic Sports. Also in this look at soccer in the Sunshine state is a profile of how Orlando City Soccer has jumped to the major leagues.