Owner of crafts and gift shop brings local artists' work to her community

Nov 8, 2023
Ashley Morken of Unglued in Fargo, North Dakota, has been expanding her staff and adjusting to new responsibilities.
Ashley Morken, owner of Unglued in Fargo, North Dakota. "I really feel the responsibility to keep this sustainable, to be able to keep it going," she said.
Courtesy Morken

Retail group predicts record holiday spending

Nov 3, 2023
The National Retail Federation predicts at least $957 billion in sales this holiday season. But that might not mean everyone is splurging.
Prices for goods are up nearly 1% from a year ago, according to the latest PCE price index.
Mark Makela/Getty Images

Crafts vendor Etsy has strengths, weaknesses at a time of economic headwinds

Oct 31, 2023
Consumer spending has been resilient, but will Etsy, a site that epitomizes discretionary spending, continue to rake in money?
Etsy's artisanal offerings may do well during the holiday shopping season, said Claire Tassin with Morning Consult.
Getty Images

October, that magical time of year when holiday shopping begins

Oct 12, 2023
Companies like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s held sales this week aimed at holiday shoppers, and Amazon just wrapped up its second Prime Day event of the year.
While stores might not have holiday decorations up yet, multiple retailers have sales running aimed at enticing (early) holiday shoppers.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Amazon desperately seeks seasonal workers while other retailers hold back

Sep 20, 2023
That could mean that holiday hiring will be slower this season, says Andy Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Retailers are still figuring out how to staff warehouses and stores as consumers switch between shopping in person and online and using curbside pickup, says analyst Jessica Ramírez.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

What recession fears? Consumers shopped up a storm in January

Feb 15, 2023
We spent despite being whipsawed by economic news. Raises and slowing inflation helped.
Because of a surplus of inventory, consumers can continue to expect markdowns from retailers.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

For this toy store, it's a race to restock the shelves

Jan 18, 2023
The owner of a North Carolina toy shop talks about the state of her business after the holiday retail season.
"Our inventory right now is being replenished from the busy selling season," said Irene Kesselman. "It will take me probably two to four months to fill the store again."
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

In Butte, Montana, holiday shoppers "spent a lot, smiled a lot"

Jan 11, 2023
Mall manager Alana Ferko is coming off a strong holiday shopping season coupled with new business from a Hollywood production.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

Over the holidays, retailers faced inventory woes and harsh winter weather

Jan 5, 2023
Three retailers from across the country share how they did over the holiday shopping season.
"We definitely saw more late shoppers this year than in previous years, especially the week before Christmas," said Eric Champlin, co-owner of Trailful Outdoor Company in Hiawassee, Georgia.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

The economics of holiday markets, explained  

Dec 22, 2022
Here's how holiday markets help small businesses and artisans earn up to 50% their annual sales in the last six weeks of the year.
The Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, D.C. hosts 80 artisans and small business vendors and attracts thousands of visitors in November and December.
Courtesy Downtown Holiday Market