consumer trends

Retail: In the shadow of a grim forecast, merchants test their creativity

Ocala -- Considering all the city-sponsored events and planned promotions by local retailers, this could be one of the most festive holiday seasons in Marion County history.Now, merchants are just hoping folks turn out for... more »

NRF Survey Finds Black Friday Gets Holiday Season Off to Energetic Start

(Washington) – Though the holiday season is far from over, retailers across the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief after shoppers headed to stores and websites in droves over the weekend. According to... more »

Shop.org Survey Finds 85 Million Americans to Shop Cyber Monday

(Washington) —Though traffic in stores was brisk over Black Friday weekend, millions of Americans saved some of their shopping for Cyber Monday, the ceremonial kickoff to the online holiday shopping season.According to a Shop.org survey,... 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 »

Retailers Counting on Cyber Monday as 
Bright Spot of Challenging Holiday Season


(Washington) — People who don't want to fight Black Friday crowds will have a less chaotic shopping option just three days later. Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is expected to be more promotional than... more »

Puppy love

Mini chocolate cupcakes. Cinnamon rolls. Peanut butter cups.But the baked goods sitting on the counter of the Pooch Barkery in downtown Ayer aren't meant for the human palate.If you bite into those yogurt-covered, sprinkled pretzels,... more »

A not-so-simple gift

They don't offend. They're easy to pick out. And people love to get them.Gift cards have mushroomed into the most requested holiday gift by consumers. Nearly 55 percent of people want to receive a gift... more »

Holiday season has small businesses owners ‘nervous’

Wallingford, CT - Running Simply Special has been a dream come true for Geri Wasilewski. She opened the gift shop in Madison in 2001, but moved it to Wallingford about a year later. In Madison,... more »