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Holiday retail

COVID-19

Three small businesses weigh in on the pandemic holiday season

by Sean McHenry
Jan 4, 2021
Marketplace has been following three American small businesses during this unprecedented holiday retail season. Here's how things went.
The quiet interior of Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro, North Carolina, where Ali Cat Toys is located.
Irene Kesselman
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COVID-19

Retailers have to figure out how to handle all our online returns

by Andy Uhler
Dec 14, 2020
One challenge for those managing "reverse logistics"? Not enough room to store everything we want to send back, one study says.
Packages are processed at a U.S. Postal Service distribution center in Oakland, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Retailers' holiday sales strategy this year? Fewer, smaller sales

by Marielle Segarra
Dec 7, 2020
They're trying to make a profit selling less stuff, but holding the line on prices.
A pedestrian walks past a store advertising a Black Friday sale on Nov. 27 in New York.
Jeenah Moon/Getty Images
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COVID-19

How small stores are cutting through the noise from the big-box stores this season

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 26, 2020
Personal touches, virtual community events and free shipping can go a long way.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images
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Small businesses prepare for the holidays amid the pandemic

by Sean McHenry
Nov 25, 2020
Small business retailers are facing a holiday season like no other. Three owners share how they're preparing for the shopping season.
A worker decorates the Christmas tree at The Grove outdoor shopping center in Los Angeles on, Nov. 5.
Valerie Macon/AFP
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The Season

For retailers, holiday shopping was strong. But the way we shop is changing.

by Sean McHenry
Jan 6, 2020
We followed three small business retailers throughout the holiday shopping season. Here's the final word on how it went.
A UPS worker sorts packages to be loaded onto a delivery truck at the UPS sort facility in South San Francisco, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The Season

For these retailers, the holiday season is crucial — and has deadlines

by Sean McHenry
Dec 18, 2019
This holiday season, we're following several retailers from the end of November to the start of the New Year. This is part two of our series.
A holiday sale in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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The Season

How much does the holiday retail season matter? Ask these retailers.

by Sean McHenry
Nov 25, 2019
Marketplace checks in with three small business retailers throughout the holiday season.
Inside of Dean's Sweets, which Kristin Thalheimer Bingham co-owns with her husband, Dean.
Melissa Mullen Photography
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The Season

Prepping for the holidays with one eye on politics

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Nov 20, 2019
One toy store owner says potential tariffs could eat up almost half of his profits.
Much of what Hobby Works sells is from China — and destined for a 15% tariff scheduled to start Dec. 15.
Nancy Marshall Genzer/Marketplace
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The Season

The holiday shopping season is 6 days shorter this year ... or is it?

by Justin Ho
Nov 4, 2019
“It’s kind of a moving target,” one analyst says. Some retailers started offering holiday deals before Halloween.
Holiday shoppers in Macy's department store in New York City.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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