Time of peace, gratitude vs. season of frenzied spending Published: Tue, Nov 29, 2011 The Thanksgiving weekend is over, and the holiday shopping season is upon us. And the combination is filled with enough ironies for an entire column. The first irony is that we equate the two events — stuffing ourselves with turkey and then running out to shop like crazy. You'd think that those who have enough to... Read More

Shoppers won't lose energy in 2011, economists say Updated: Thu, Jan 6, 2011 Americans spent more in the 50 days before Christmas than analysts had expected — the sharpest annual increase since 2006. It's the surest sign yet they're becoming less frugal as the economy rebounds. Read More

Job seekers have reason to cheer; retailers may need to amp up payrolls for the holidays Updated: Fri, Oct 29, 2010 Two consecutive months of sales gains may provide just enough confidence to trigger increased seasonal hiring by the nation’s retailers this year. However, the number of holiday workers added to retail payrolls in October, November and December is still likely to fall short of pre-recession levels. Read More

U.S. retail sales up 1 percent in January Published: Thu, Feb 12, 2009 WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales jumped 1 percent in January, reversing a six-month declining trend and defying economists' expectations by posting the biggest increase in 14 months. The Commerce Department says January retail sales rose a percent from December after having fallen for six straight months. Wall... Read More

Retailers Look for Post-Holiday Bump Updated: Wed, Dec 26, 2007 NEW YORK (AP) -- The nation's retailers slashed prices further Wednesday in hopes that a post-Christmas shopping rush will salvage holiday sales that, so far, have fallen below even modest expectations. They're waiting in particular for legions of shoppers armed with gift cards to snap up bargains and buy... Read More

Target Says Dec. Sales May Decline Updated: Mon, Nov 26, 2007 NEW YORK (AP) -- Early holiday sales reports are weak, with Target Corp., the nation's No.2 retailer, warning that its sales may have fallen in December. A broad gauge of consumer spending released by MasterCard Inc., which includes estimates for spending by cash and checks, showed a modest 2.4 percent... Read More

Wal-Mart to Focus on Price After Outlook Updated: Tue, May 15, 2007 Wal-Mart Chief Executive Lee Scott warned earnings in the current quarter could fall short of Wall Street expectations and said Tuesday that the company will focus on prices this summer in a bid to rekindle sales in U.S. stores. The tepid outlook from Wal-Mart - considered a barometer for the retail industry -... Read More

September consumer confidence plummets Updated: Wed, Sep 28, 2005 NEW YORK - Consumer confidence suffered its biggest drop in 15 years in September as Hurricane Katrina made Americans anxious about the rising costs of heating their homes and filling their gasoline tanks. The decline raised questions about consumer spending for the rest of this year, including the holiday shopping... Read More

Retail sales climb Updated: Tue, Jun 6, 2000 Despite stock market turbulence and higher interest rates, retail sales in Oklahoma grew 4.3 percent in May over the same month in 1999, according to figures released by Telecheck Services Inc. Dr. William Ford, the Houston company's senior economist, said the numbers imply a "strengthening economy" in Oklahoma.... Read More