holidays

Using ‘Likes’ for Gift Ideas

Companies such as Amazon.com Inc. and Etsy Inc., a site that sells handmade and vintage goods, are making gift recommendations for individuals by tapping into the trove of comments and preferences collected by social-networking giant... more »

Christmas gifts from your local museum

If through happenstance or procrastination you're faced with last-minute Christmas shopping, Culture Monster brings tidings of comfort and joy: You can do it at a museum store, getting a jump start on the peace-on-Earth payoff... more »

Locally owned shops innovate to compete with online stores

Locally owned, independent retailers are getting creative to compete with online sales this holiday season. Holiday spending is on track to be 3.3 percent more than last year, according to the National Retail Federation. Online... more »

Last-minute shoppers continue to stream into stores

With just two shopping days before Christmas, cash registers are still ringing as gift-givers scour shelves for the perfect present.Shoppers will find stores more than accommodating — with more clerks, longer hours and deep discounts.The... more »

Shoppers flood stores during last weekend before Christmas

Braintree, MA — Cars were lined up and waiting for spots to open up at the Grossman Drive shopping center in Braintree on Sunday. Shoppers headed from their cars toward the stores, hoping to make... more »

Holiday shoppers spending more, yet caution reigns

Although a light rain and cool temperatures put a damper on the last weekend shopping day before Christmas, the upsurge in retail sales this season has already brought some early gifts to the local economy.Retail... more »

Christmas bringing Midlands shoppers to stores

Pre-Christmas shoppers were out Sunday scooping up everything from Blue Sky paintings worth thousands of dollars to iPods starting at $229 to cuddly Santa Bears that cost $24.99. "This is a one-stop place," a pleased... more »

Holiday Retail Numbers Look Good

With just days to go in the holiday shopping season, the Lansing Mall has nothing but good news to report when it comes to this season's shopper turnout. Overall the mall says it's seen some... more »