cyber monday

The whole concept of online commerce hinges on convenience, particularly during the frantic holiday shopping season. Unfortunately, some well-known Web merchants left consumers seriously dissatisfied in the past year.

U.S. shoppers spent 15 percent more in online holiday buying compared to last year, after what may have been the busiest week of the season, said research firm comScore on Sunday. Shoppers have spent $30.9 billion online from Nov. 1 through Dec. 16, up from $26.9 billion at the same point last year, said the Reston, Va., company, which tracks Web use.

Watch out, Cyber Monday: Green Monday is gaining traction with shoppers. Consumers flexed their thumb-shopping muscles on Dec. 12, Green Monday -- the second Monday in December that's become another big day for online holiday shopping.

It's going to be another interesting holiday shopping season as retailers jockey for position for the seasonal spending sprees. Where will buyers go? What will they buy? Let me go out on a limb and predict a few things.

There's never a dull moment on Wall Street, especially now when holiday shopping is under way. Let's go over some of the items that will help shape the week that lies ahead.

Millions of holiday shoppers aiming to avoid the crowds are headed online. But not all retailers do e-commerce with ease -- especially if you have questions and need help from a customer service representative. Which chains respond fast -- and which don't? We have the answers.

Attention holiday shoppers: Don't feel blue if you missed Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Retail analysts say the best deals are yet to come, with discounts growing deeper as Christmas draws nearer.

There's never a dull moment on Wall Street, especially with the holiday season under way. Among the items that will shape this week: Cyber Monday, Nook Tablets falling and doughnuts rising, digital tunes playing and retailers facing the music.

For great deals on Cyber Monday, turn off the computer and go bargain-hunting in brick-and-mortar stores. Between retailers desperate to compete and websites starting sales earlier, e-commerece's big day is losing its online luster.

Black Friday, the Super Bowl of the holiday shopping season, is upon us. Deal pros cut through the barrage of bargain-hunting tips with a pared down -- and doorbuster-free -- list of simple ways to save during the shopping blitz.