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Retailers wielding holiday discounts as competitive weapon

Nov 27, 2023
Instead of marking down items to clear inventory, retailers are using discounts to draw customers away from competitors.
Sales from post-Thanksgiving promotions could influence what the rest of the holiday shopping season looks like.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

How's the holiday shopping season starting to shape up?

Nov 21, 2022
Despite retail promotions and a longer shopping season, inflation may make consumers pay more but get fewer gifts. Fa la la la la.
Retail inventories are up this year, as well as prices.
Scott Heins/Getty Images

Holiday shopping will look different this year, with discounts coming early

Oct 10, 2022
Consumers can expect early and steep sales as retailers try to offload excessive inventory. Online shopping is expected to cool.
"Consumers are going to be seeing some of the best discounts they’ve seen in quite some time," said Vivek Pandya of Adobe Analytics. 
Scott Heins/Getty Images

In your hunt for holiday deals, don’t forget the Christmas tree

Dec 18, 2018
Christmas trees are in short supply, but deals are still doable.
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Retailers could step up freebies for shoppers

Dec 10, 2012
As holiday season heads into the last stretch, retailers are gauging just how much they have to give away to get skittish shoppers to spend.

The changing face of Cyber Monday

Nov 26, 2012
Before smartphones or super fast at home Internet, millions of Americans would return from their Thanksgiving weekends to high-speed Internet at work and get busy shopping.

For public good, not for profit.

Americans spending more on cars, clothing and furniture

Dec 13, 2011
American consumer spending is up, but shoppers are more conscious this time around -- and Black Friday might have been the high point of spending for a while.

Workers fight back against early Black Friday openings

Nov 18, 2011
Big chain stores like Best Buy, Walmart and Target have plans to open on 'Black Thursday' this year, which has drawn backlash from workers.

MIDDAY UPDATE: GDP up 2.6 percent, holiday shopping

Dec 22, 2010
U.S. Gross Domestic Product grew 2.6 percent in the third quarter. Stacey Vanek Smith spoke to Richard DeKaser, who explained while this is a good...