More holiday shoppers say they’ll spend less

New York (Reuters) - More consumers are planning to spend less this holiday season than a year ago, according to a survey released on Tuesday that adds a fresh note of caution to what is... more »

Retailers Look to Last-Minute Shopping

New York (AP) — Despite generous discounting and expanded shopping hours earlier in the season, many stores are finding themselves in the same predicament as in recent years: waiting for those last-minute shoppers in the... more »

Gift Cards: Easy buy becomes personal

If you receive a gift card this holiday season, don't be surprised if it lights up, sings to you, has a familiar face on it or smells like gingerbread when you scratch it.Those are some... more »

Retailers Face an Ominous Holiday Sign

Sales of women's clothing, a traditional pillar of the holiday shopping season, are unusually bleak so far this year, according to a major credit card company, an ominous sign for the retail industry.From high-end dresses... more »

Holiday shoppers flood stores

Grand Chute — As shoppers slide into the final stretch before Christmas, store fliers tout "last-minute gifts."For some, however, it isn't last minute at all. With a full week left, it's just the beginning of... more »

Friends find common business ground

Elgin -- Three women, pals for years, never dreamed that their paths would cross in the business world.A few things needed to fall in place before each would become separate entrepreneurs in downtown Elgin. A... more »

Retailers bump up lures to shoppers

With 10 days left until Christmas, many people still haven't finished their shopping. And many say they're not impressed with what they're finding in stores.But they'll eventually have to buy something, experts say, and retailers... more »

Small Shops See Smallness as Their Big Selling Point

Predictions of a weak holiday shopping season have led the big department stores to slash prices and stretch their advertising budgets. But most small retailers, which cannot afford either the price cuts or the expensive... more »

Small Talk: Independent shops setting themselves apart

Kids Country Toys owner Jerry Strick, who has been in business 35 years, uses services that super chains such as Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us don't provide - such as assembling toys for free -... more »

California Gift Show Launches Eco-Earth Conscious Options

White Plains, NY - In response to market demand, the California Gift Show will launch ECO - Earth Conscious Optionstm, as a category for identifying eco-friendly and fair trade product, January 18-21, 2008, at the... more »