consumer spending

After sales, will shoppers pay full price again?

New York -- Shoppers are getting used to those 75 percent off sale signs, and that's bad news for merchants who worry they will also have to quickly slash prices on spring goods to attract... more »

Return Line: Retailers Brace for Step-Up in Exchanges

Consumers are expected to return more holiday purchases than usual this year, adding to pressure on retailers' bottom lines after a disappointing season.Some shoppers tempted by deep discounts to buy things for themselves or others... more »

Businesses weather economy

Colchester, Conn. — Despite the recent financial crisis on Wall Street, many Colchester business owners say their loyal customers keep coming back.Even before a national recession was declared, the motto on bags given out at... more »

Stronger than expected holiday sales reported by Fulton area retailers

Retail sales for most Fulton businesses were up this year during the traditional holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a Fulton Sun survey reveals.Many retailers were surprised by the strength of sales because of so... more »

Black Friday II: With gift cards in hand, shoppers descend on stores

Traditionally, Dec. 26 has been a day to return gifts that didn't fit or weren't to the recipient's taste. But gift cards are turning the day into a shopping bonanza similar to Black Friday."The traffic... more »

Shop talk: Lessons gleaned from the holiday shopping season

I am a student of shopping. I get my thrill from watching people shop, learning why people shop and discovering how shopping habits affect people and the world around them.Not surprisingly, the holiday shopping season... more »

Slow economy hits small-town retailers

Lanesboro -- Stocked with fashionable women's clothing, fabrics and books this holiday shopping season, Cheryl's Apparel lacks one thing necessary to ring up sales.The independent retail shop in Lanesboro is short on customers. Owner Cheryl... more »

Break in weather is a break for shoppers

Don't be fooled by all the large, pink, stuffed-to-the-gills shopping bags surrounding Amanda Kuzma.She and the rest of her family are cutting back this holiday season.Fewer gift cards. More group gifts. A secret Santa to... more »