Versace

In a digital era defined by sites like Facebook, Foursquare and Groupon, a new breed of consumers has emerged: social shoppers, people increasingly relying on the wisdom of the digital crowd to help them make their purchasing decisions. Sound like someone you know? Read on ...

Following a record Black Friday, retail sales hit new heights on Dec. 17 -- the penultimate shopping Saturday before Christmas and a day when retailers trot out themed promotions. It's a sign that many consumers have rebounded from the recession and unleashed their pent-up buying demand.

The pigs are officially flying -- high-end designers are cutting prices on their clothes, shoes and handbags. It's not just department stores cutting the costs during their now-weekly sales, it's the manufacturers reducing their wholesale prices before they even ship goods to the stores. And these...