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Season looks bright for shoppers and stores
NEW YORK— You won’t find uncommonly deep discounts, but you won’t have to worry about finding something to buy, either. For the first time in three years, the Christmas season […]
Frugal parents skip stores for online toy swaps
NEW YORK — Stephanie Edwards-Musa finished her Christmas shopping early this year. Her 13-year-old daughter is getting a PlayStation 2 and clothing from Hollister and Aeropostale. For her 5-year-old son, […]
Maryland entrepreneur runs indoor, year-round farmers market
BRUNSWICK — Beth Johnson was instrumental in opening Urbana Library Farmers Market, which recently completed a successful first year in a new location. Johnson is taking her entrepreneurial skills one […]
FedEx’s busiest day ever: The pre-game show for Santa
Call it the pregame show for Santa and his elves. Monday was expected to be the busiest day in FedEx history, with nearly 16 million packages moving on its conveyer […]
Over-the-top gifts for the pet who has everything
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Sanderella has 150 collars and leashes, 200 couture dresses, 300 bows, a designer bed in every room and standing appointments with a groomer and an acupuncturist. […]
Dena Shapiro Frenkel: Tips for keeping holiday spending within your budget
As we enter the third holiday season after the onset of the “Great Recession,” American consumers may be battling penny-pinching fatigue. We’ve scrimped. We’ve saved. When do we get to […]
Not all teens love gift cards, so choose carefully
NEW YORK — Conventional wisdom holds that gift cards are the perfect present for picky teens. But not all teens agree. Reasons include logistical hassles in using the cards, lack […]
Dena Frenkel: Keep holiday spending within budget
As we enter the third holiday season after the onset of the “Great Recession,” American consumers may be battling penny-pinching fatigue. We’ve scrimped. We’ve saved. When do we get to […]
Discounts lead to biggest retail gains in 4 years
NEW YORK — Generous discounts lured Americans to stores and online for holiday gifts in November, providing cheer and delivering the best gains for retailers in four years. That raises […]
Holiday sales encouraging, but are shoppers done?
NEW YORK — Holiday shoppers gave retailers a happy Thanksgiving weekend, crowding stores and malls more than last year. Add strong spending earlier this month and robust sales online, and […]
Thrift stores make their bid for Black Friday shoppers
NEW YORK — Secondhand stores are trying to muscle in on the Black Friday blitz this year. Thrift and consignment shops are betting that people who have bought more used […]
At city markets, food stamps fill nutritional gap
Senora Gray gives a quick scan before plucking three bunches of kale from a pile of fresh greens. She surveys the apples, yellow squash and green beans with similar speed. […]
