Hold on to customers by treating them as you would treat yourself

Why don't people care anymore? Why are they so quick to say no? Why do most companies say they care about customer service but do so little to improve it?The hard part of business is... more »

Welcome mat is out for campaign workers; State rejected idea, but Nashua merchants promote discount program

Nashua -- There are just a handful of presidential candidate field offices here and months to go before the big day. But downtown businesses in this city are gearing up to take advantage of New... more »

Stop by this store, just for a spell

Monroe — An old-fashioned straw broom hangs on the wall at Talisman, a New Age gift and craft shop at 150 Main St., but nobody grabs it to clean house.It's a magical broom. "You would... more »

High Tea

Call this the Eloise part of the story. You remember Eloise—the precocious imp who lived in New York's Plaza Hotel and often ordered room service when she couldn't sleep.Like Eloise, Gail Baral was a bit... more »

Leave the shore behind with tote bags made from recycled sails

When Beth Shissler walked into Hannah Kubiak's life three years ago, Hannah was cruising along, doing her thing, which happened to be making tote bags out of recycled sails. Since 1999, she has spent her... more »

Big-box stores are homing in on teachers; They hope discounts will reward and reel in the out-of-pocket spenders

The back-to-school season often has parents scouring ads for discounts and promotions on school supplies.But teachers are looking for discounts, too. And major retailers are starting to focus on this market, since teachers often end... more »

Downtown Bristol atmosphere and merchants are attracting diverse new businesses

Bristol, Va. - Scott Howard can't stop talking about the warm welcome he's received from people in the Twin City.The owner of Short Sheet Fabric, Howard recently opened his business in the former J.C. Penney... more »

New Product Announcement from Prosperity Tree

Bring Another Seat to the Table! When you're ready to work, you need a seat at the table. And your gadgets need a seat, too. Now there's iSeats for the table or desk - a... more »

Peek-A-Boo Bag makes a game of idle time for little ones

Draper, UT - Imagine you're at the airport and they've delayed your flight for three hours. No big deal. You go to the gift shop and pick up a few choice magazines. Now imagine your... more »

Luxury Consumers Spent More Buying Luxuries in the Second Quarter, but Consumer Confidence Wavered

Stevens, PA — Affluent consumers went on a spending spree for luxuries in the second quarter 2007. The typical luxury consumer spent $15,283 buying luxury goods and services during the second quarter, 9 percent more... more »