Sacred Heart bookstore serves downtown Tampa

Tampa — Father Andrew Reitz isn't a typical small-business man.The pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church is more interested in souls than in sales. He's more likely seen wearing the brown full-length robe of his... more »

Merchants prepare for a frightful Halloween

Bradenton — In what remains a frightful economy, consumers have plenty of scary Halloween costumes to choose from this year. The most appropriate costume for the year may be the Bernie Madoff mask. But it... more »

Online Retailers To Emphasize Free Shipping, Social Media This Holiday Season

Washington—The economy is not only impacting shoppers, it's affecting online retailers, too. According to results of Shop.org's eHoliday Study, conducted by BIGresearch, shoppers will see changes in retail marketing and promotions this holiday season in... more »

Shopping-center kiosks are a way to try retail ownership

Silvia Spross took a baby step into small-business ownership when she opened a jewelry kiosk on Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade.It took just $11,000 to set up Lapzos Beads, including $3,500 for the first month's... more »

Holiday Sales Preview Roundup

Most of the major predictions are now in for the holiday shopping season. Here we've put together a roundup of what various trade associations and research outlets are predicting. Projections range a bit this year.... more »

Holiday shopping top 10 trends: Food, group gifts, eggnog parties

Sure, consumers are sick of bad news and just want to go shopping -- but they're still waiting for the recession's other shoe to drop.And that means that this holiday season, shoppers will be very... more »

Gear up for bazaar season

The October sun is bright and the autumn breezes are brisk -- both signals that bazaar season is upon us in the Ozarks.Luckily for shoppers in the region -- with scores of holiday bazaars on... more »

Retailer Survey Results to be Revealed at 2009 GHTA Conference

Grand Rapids, Mich. – How do retailers respond to catalogs, email campaigns, show invitations, press releases and telemarketing? What are the most effective marketing communications tools, according to retailers? The Gift and Home Trade Association's... more »

Business blooms in Carlisle

When the snow and cold weather hits this winter a new business in Carlisle will seem more like a tropical paradise. Jen Worthington of Pleasantville opened Flowers Island - a floral and gift shop -... more »

For Retailers, Holiday Season Has No Place To Go But Up

Retailers won't uncork much champagne this holiday season, as worries over jobs and the economy likely will take a lot of the cheer out of gift buying.But at least things won't be as gloomy as... more »