News

NRF Forecasts One Percent Decline In Holiday Sales

Washington — The National Retail Federation today released its 2009 holiday forecast, projecting holiday retail industry sales to decline one percent this year to $437.6 billion.* While this number falls significantly below the ten-year average... more »

Retail sales stage a comeback

After steep falls over the past couple of months, retail sales rebounded sharply in August, rising by 0.9 per cent.This augurs well for retail landlords as they approach the crucial lead-up to Christmas and the... more »

Gift shops may see a boost in business

Greenfield, MA - The leaves are changing. That usually brings in the cash. Some are saying they believe that to be true this year more than others.From near and far, they're coming to see the... more »

‘Big-Box’ Retailers Spice Up Gift Cards For Holiday Season

New York -- Some "big-box" retailers may be spicing up an otherwise plain-vanilla product this holiday season to lure in value-conscious consumers - the gift card.Certain of these retailers - whose stores are physically large... more »

Greenspan predicts economic growth to hit 3 percent or higher

Washington -- The U.S. economy will grow more than expected in the third quarter, but unemployment also will continue to increase and will pass 10 percent, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Sunday.Greenspan told... more »

Don’t overlook gift shop at iconic Mai-Kai restaurant

You probably think of the Mai-Kai as a fun place for anniversaries, proposals or other special occasions. It's where locals take out-of-town guests for fruity drinks and Pacific Island ambience. Stroll among the waterfalls, the... more »

Gift mall built on friendship

San Angelo, Texas — Jerrie Wiley and Carolyn Slaughter believe friendship and business can be mixed, and they have their own shop to prove it.Friends since college in the 1960s, their similar interests and dispositions... more »

Artisan gathering showcases sense of community

Fort Edward -- Two train stations at the end of July experienced two entirely different scenarios as the result of flooding.In Rensselaer, disgruntled passengers slept on their backpacks, hoping against hope that news would soon... more »

Recession-stung stores plan old-fashioned holidays

New York — Stores are turning back the clock, conjuring images of hearth and home as they stock their holiday merchandise. Retailers hope embracing holiday traditions from cozier times will tempt recession-weary consumers to open... more »

Soon, Bloggers Must Give Full Disclosure

For nearly three decades, the Federal Trade Commission's rules regarding the relationships between advertisers and product reviewers and endorsers were deemed adequate. Then came the age of blogging and social media.On Monday, the F.T.C. said... more »