consumer spending

Independent shops wonder what’s in store for the holidays

The holiday shopping season may be in full swing, but local independent retailers are feeling more cautious this year than joyful.They don't need to read the headlines to know we're in a recession. All the... more »

Some merchants get creative to boost sales

Pleasantly surprised, but still cautious, is how some owners of mom and pop stores in the South Hills are rating this holiday shopping season so far.Some local business owners who traditionally have brisk sales breathed... more »

Friday brought better tale for retail

We shopped. Retail prices dropped. In fact, we shopped more than anyone anticipated. Black Friday wasn't the media-desired apocalypse. It was better than even retail experts predicted. Instead of having a day better named Red... more »

Local retailers report slow-to-steady sales

Local businesswoman Paulette Flicker has a David vs. Goliath approach to local retail - she's David while Goliath slashes prices, doesn't know your name and doesn't care."We're like the little guys watching the giants fight... more »

Gift givers get ‘crafty’ in tough economy

The gloomy economy has many families re-thinking their gift buying this Christmas.Local craft stores say, they're seeing more consumers come in and take the do-it-yourself approach.News 13 caught up with a few crafty gift givers... more »

Black Friday sales gain seen as a one-time gift

Bargain-hungry consumers gave the nation's retailers a much-needed early holiday boost with surprisingly healthy sales on Black Friday that tapered off Saturday and Sunday."It was a retail manager's dream," said Marissa Marks, store manager at... more »

ComScore: Black Friday e-commerce hits $534 million

It wasn't a blockbuster, but Black Friday wasn't a bust, either. ComScore on Sunday reported that online, nontravel retail sales on the Friday after Thanksgiving, traditionally a big day for consumer spending, reached $534 million.... more »

Merchants fight economy with resolve and pluck

Bristol, RI — While national headlines of falling employment and plummeting stocks are galloping across the land like Paul Revere, Bristol merchants are keeping cautiously optimistic despite slowing sales and tough staffing decisions."No question about... more »