sales economy

Valentine’s Day and the Economy Rekindle Their Romance

The economy definitely is feeling the love this month as the annual "Hallmark Holiday" descends on consumers.According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, Valentine's Day spending will be up 11 percent from last... more »

Reinventing themselves: Shops fight off tough times by changing

As the economic downturn took hold several years ago, Mondi Miller watched the flow of customers slow to a trickle in her Heirloom Oriental Rugs shop in downtown Brighton."Nothing was happening," she said.The shop owner... more »

Retail group’s analysis paints dire image of a value-added tax

Piling a European-style sales tax on top of the existing U.S. tax structure would immediately destroy 850,000 jobs and damage retail spending for years to come, according to an economic analysis commissioned by the National... more »

Retail sales jump the most in five months

Retail sales in August experienced the biggest jump in five months, in an encouraging sign that the economy is slowly regaining its footing.The Commerce Department reported that purchases were up 0.4 percent from July to... more »

Fed survey says New England companies generally upbeat

Boston, MA - The New England economy fared better than the nation as a whole in recent weeks, as businesses in several of the region's key industries reported "upbeat" results, according to a Federal Reserve... more »

How to get frugal consumers spending again

For much of the past decade, many Australian businesses have relied on a simple idea to fuel growth – consumers love buying new stuff. But right around the world, there are signs that this is... more »

Stores consolidate to save

For years, it's been common to see a grocery store and discount retailer put together or a gas station and fast food restaurant in one. But some Odessa businesses are bringing "one stop shopping" to... more »

Study predicts a lean Christmas shopping season

Many shoppers are expected to gravitate to discounters and downplay gift-giving in favor of get-togethers as they try to keep spending under control this holiday season. Two-thirds of shoppers polled in a recent survey by... more »