Almond milk, SUV trims and more nuggets from the Beige Book – MarketWatch

A factory worker assembles transmission components for Chrysler Group vehicles.

The big picture from the Beige Book, a collection of anecdotes on the economy produced by the Federal Reserve, is a familiar one: the U.S. economy is growing at a steady if unspectacular rate, with auto sales booming and the energy industry reeling.

The report has its share of more obscure observations as well. Here's a selection of a few from the Beige Book that were notable.

Also read: Fed's Beige Book finds wage pressure and China, dollar concerns

• The U.S. dollar's strength is hurting retailers along both the Canadian and Mexican border, with loonie and peso weakness driving away shoppers from stores in New York, Montana and Texas.

• In New York City, Broadway theaters note that attendance and revenues rebounded somewhat in the latter part of July but have slowed a bit in early August.

• Though tourism was generally better in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, revenues at Atlantic City casinos continued to decline.

• A slowdown in sales of special products such as almond milk is hurting a dairy firm in the Boston area; also a fitness-equipment maker in the Boston area reported falling demand.

• Firms in Boston are increasingly using job boards and social media sites such as LinkedIn in order to better attract top candidates. Pay rates have grown by 3% to 20%.

• Construction activity could be curtailed within six months as labor costs rise, one Boston area contact said.

• One auto group owner in Cleveland remarked that while overall pricing is stable, consumers seem willing to invest in higher-priced trim levels and options, especially in SUVs.

• Demand for in-home health care, including remote monitoring of patients, was up in many states; a North Dakota home care executive noted that "tele-health services are taking off."

• A fabricated-metals manufacturer remarked that the building boom was getting stronger and an aerospace-manufacturing contact said the airline industry was doing great and will be strong for a long time to come.

• Several respondents in the Kansas City district expressed concerns about the lifting of sanctions against Iran and its potential negative effects on energy prices and production.

• Multiple contacts reported that the credit situation is worsening for small to midsize energy producers as balance sheets deteriorate and the likelihood of a significant increase in oil prices has declined.