consumer spending

The wealthy turn stealthy as economy weakens

Beverly Hills, CA — Throwing your money around is so pre-recession. As the economy weakens, the wealthy and the businesses that cater to them say it's more common — even chic — to scale back... more »

Independent gift retailers holding their own

Independent gift retailers in Scotland are defying the downturn and outperforming other high street traders, according to a survey.Figures published last week by the Scottish Retail Consortium showed that non-food sales in December in Scotland... more »

Steady sales at stores keep tails wagging

The nation may be in an economic slump, but many of the pet product vendors attending the recent Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market said the pet market is holding its own."My December sales... more »

Gift cards pitched as way to entice shoppers to Palm Springs

With more than 500 businesses in downtown and uptown Palm Springs, shoppers have plenty of choices.But unlike the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon (130 stores) or Westfield Palm Desert (150 stores), downtown Palm Springs... more »

Hawaii shop finds customer loyalty is in the cards

Malia Johnson is practical when she talks about the little purple-and-white cards that customers redeemed during the holidays for discounts on jewelry, candles, crystals and other gifts at Sedona, her gift store in Ward Centre.While... more »

Cheap is chic in recession, NRF chief says

New York, NY - Price has become the most important factor in U.S. consumer purchase decisions and retailers must adapt to that new reality if they are to be successful, the head of a key... more »

Skittish shoppers, fewer stores

Central Florida's retail industry is facing bankruptcies, closings and layoffs as the economy worsens and stores have difficulty recovering from the holiday season dominated by shoppers who responded only to deals."The problem is consumers have... more »

Downtown gift certificates boost sales

Traverse City, Michigan -- Merchants got some bang from downtown bucks during a wobbly holiday shopping season.Sales of Downtown Traverse City Association gift certificates soared to $192,425 this holiday season, up 25 percent from last... more »