christmasshopping

The holidays may have come and gone, but when Best Buy posts its quarterly earnings, it's going to very publicly relive them -- whether it wants to or not. Wall Street analysts are generally optimistic, but there reasons for investors to worry.

With 2012's first earnings season well under way, let's go over some of the items that will help shape the week that lies ahead: Here's why you should be watching one major mall owner, two tech giants, three homebuilders and a couple of old media behemoths.

Retail sales inched up by just 0.1% in December, but the gain was enough to lift sales to a record level for 2011. It marked the largest annual increase in more than a decade, and confirms that the economy was strengthening as the year ended.

Many retailers are reporting solid sales gains for December, capping a decent holiday season, but shoppers bent on discounts exacted a high price.

The holiday season was a heck of a party for retailers, but consumers are nursing a shopping hangover that'll keep them out of stores for a few months. "Now that those credit card bills are hitting mailboxes, shoppers will cut back in a very significant way," said Britt Beemer of America's Research Group.

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 holiday shopping season is wrapping up to be bigger than anyone expected. Now, retailers are holding their breath and hoping consumers will keep spending in the final days before Christmas.

Today is Free Shipping Day, when nearly 2,000 merchants offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve in the continental United States. Some are even sweetening the deal with one-day savings offers. DailyFinance has an early preview of retailers' top offers, as well as some extra tips to help you plot your shipping strategy for the remainder of the holiday season.

When Emily Russell's sons wake up on Christmas morning, they'll find that Santa left them a note instead of the videogames they requested. Some people have always postponed Christmas celebrations because their jobs don't pause for the holiday. But in the weak economy, folks are delaying Christmas for another reason: money.

In a bid to give shoppers more time to scoop up holiday gifts while dangling the carrot of shorter lines and fewer crowds, Macy's is bringing back its 24-hour stores for three all-nighters.