Tiffany & Co

Americans' zest for a bargain has an economic downside: It creates a giant opportunity for the scads of shady operators -- especially from China -- that specialize in pumping out counterfeit versions of the real thing. From footwear to toys, here are the 10 most counterfeited goods in the U.S. Can you spot the real from the fake?

Major retailers are reporting surprisingly solid January revenue gains despite snowstorms that many feared would chill spending. The reports offer encouraging signs that strength in consumer spending is being sustained after a robust holiday season. As merchants reported their figures Thursday...

Spending for the lovers' holiday this year is expected to climb 5.8% over 2009, and that spells opportunity for investors. Here are some greeting card, candy, jewelry, flower and restaurant stocks that could get a lift from sweethearts looking for that special something.

Retailers should be swooning this year: Spending for the lover's holiday is forecast to top $18.6 billion, a 5.8% jump in spending over 2010. That amounts to about $125 per person who buys a gift for that special someone.

U.S. shoppers piled up the presents under their Christmas trees, but retailers were still a bit disappointed. The Commerce Department's official tally shows what many suspected: Consumers did most of their holiday buying early this year.

Jewelry company Tiffany & Co. is raising its full-year earnings guidance, buoyed by better-than-expected holiday sales.

This global designer, maker and retailer of fine jewelry and other gift items went through the recession like it never happened. The Tiffany name is globally known, yet analysts agree it has plenty of room to expand in the U.S. and worldwide.