consumer trends

Dogeared Presents: Ten Great Gifts for Any Occasion

(LOS ANGELES, Calif.) -- So many holidays, so many special occasions, so many wonderful people we want to acknowledge. Some of the best gifts come in small boxes: personal treasures with big messages. Here are... more »

Aeromax donates 2,700 pirate costumes

(Lake Barrington, IL)- Award-winning Aeromax, makers of the Get Real Gear line of children's and adults' costumes, has just donated 2,735 pirate costumes to Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), just in time for Halloween. The... more »

Midwest announces call for entries in ‘Sparkle’ display contest

(Cannon Falls, MN) – Midwest, leading designer of the Seasons of Cannon Falls brand of holiday and seasonal home accents, premium Colonial Candle brand of candles and home fragrance products, and Delight brand of accents... more »

The retail before Christmas

Newport News, VA — On a sunny, 80-degree day last week — more than 15 days before Halloween — Wal-Mart employees in Newport News worked to put the finishing touches on their "Christmas Shop."And even... more »

Trending Up: Fall 2008

Baby Bunch Onesie Cupcake gift sets are bundled as cupcakes and packaged in colorful, see-through polka dot "bakery" boxes.Each set features 100% cotton onesies in either pink, blue, yellow or white for infants ages 0-6... more »

Main streets eye chaos on Wall St.; businesses cautious, but optimistic

Tom Ashenbrener's family business in Twin Falls has seen its share of ups and downs. When his father, Rudy, purchased Price Hardware at 147 Main Avenue West in 1946 it had already been a downtown... more »

All I want for Christmas is . . . a gift card?

Luxury retailers will be singing the blues rather than Christmas carols if U.S. retail analysts' predictions about holiday gift-giving come true. According to a new report, the economic downturn is expected to trigger a swing... more »

NRF, Homeland Security, ICSC 
Create Emergency Response Guide for Retailers

(WASHINGTON) – As a part of its efforts to educate and protect retail customers, merchandise and employees, the National Retail Federation's loss prevention team partnered with the International Council of Shopping Centers and the U.S.... more »