consumer trends

Retail group president declares Georgia’s sales tax holiday a success

The president of the Georgia Retail Association said Monday that while final numbers are not in, he believes the state's retailers saw more dollars come into their stores because of the sales tax holiday.John Heavener,... more »

Highway 21 Impact

Omro – Each day an estimated 13,500 vehicles on State Highway 21 pass by Tammie Sutphen's new downtown Omro shop, Sophie & Co., II.That's more than 50 percent more traffic passing by the shop in... more »

Retail sales hold steady

Melissa Green doesn't shop as much as she did in the past.The Shreveport native is not unlike many in the area who have tightened their belts in these lean economic times.However, just because she has... more »

Parents, teachers hit stores for tax-free weekend deals

School supplies list in hand and shopping cart in tow, Miran Tyrrell joined other parents and schoolteachers Friday in taking advantage of South Carolina's tax-free shopping weekend. Through midnight Sunday, shoppers in Georgia and South... more »

Tax-free shopping drawing to stores

Consumers already coping with high gasoline prices and food costs say saving money during this year's tax-free holiday was important. Many Oklahomans were out taking advantage of the tax break on Friday, buying clothes and... more »

Profits are growing for specialist shops

Traders in Northampton's St Giles Street have reported an increase in profits even though six premises on the road are empty. Twelve per cent of the 50 shops, eateries and pubs on the street are... more »

Sunny Side Up moves to bigger location

Kathy Perkins and daughter Lori Bostic get a kick out of watching customers walk into their gift shop and smile.They said their "whimsical, fun" Sunny Side Up store, with pastel colors and assorted novelty items,... more »

York to a T: Hoodies, shell motifs top-sellers at the beach

When it comes to beach attire, the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny polka-dot bikini may hold a place of honor all its own, but this year, T-shirt and souvenir shop owners in York Beach Square say hooded sweatshirts... more »