consumer trends

Retailers’ loss of revenue hammers city and state budgets

In the world of shopping centers, strip malls and the cities that house them, a closed Ann Taylor here or an out-of-business Circuit City there might not matter much. But the timing and immensity of... more »

Surprise increase in retail sales

New York -- Retail sales unexpectedly rose in January, giving hard-hit retailers some respite after six straight months of sales erosion, the government reported Thursday.The Commerce Department said total retail sales rose 1% last month... more »

Retail sales hold steady during week

Washington, DC -- Retail sales in the United States were unchanged in the week ending Feb. 7, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday. Sales were unchanged on the week but down 1.8 percent... more »

Retail Sales To Improve In Second Half: NRF

Washington, DC — Retail sales are expected to begin to rebound by the second half of the year, according to a recent economic forecast from The National Retail Federation (NRF).The trade group's quarterly Retail Sales... more »

Despite economic storm clouds, local merchants stay hopeful for Mardi Gras

Batool Ali is worried that the feather boas and Carnival masks she usually can't keep on the shelves during Mardi Gras season will be slow to move this year as visitors to her French Quarter... more »

Local flower shop owners fear lower sales this Valentine’s Day

Middletown — Poor weather and a Saturday holiday have local shops worried about slow sales this Valentine's Day.While a survey by the National Retail Federation finds that consumers plan to spend nearly $102 — 17... more »

Trending Up: Winter 2009

Morse Code Jewelry LLC Bracelets and necklaces have beads laid out in the dot and dash pattern of Morse code to "spell" words. The jewelry is made of solid 14k gold, solid .925 sterling, and... more »

Entrepreneurs Have High Hopes For Downtown Plant City

Plant City - From Wall Street to Main Street, the economy is reeling. Yet as Circuit City and other mammoth retailers collapse and chains such as Bennigan's shutter restaurants coast to coast, in historic downtown... more »