Reports of the death of Research In Motion may be premature. The company behind the once iconic BlackBerry smartphone posted better than expected quarterly results after Thursday's market close.
January's retail and food services sales rose a sharp 7.8% from January 2010 and 0.3% from December. For the most part, merchants and manufacturers worked to line up wares that consumers want at prices that attract those who are now more frugal.
Retail sales have perked up, but consumers aren't resuming their old habit of using credit cards to splurge on gifts. According to a new poll, more than half of American adults say they're sticking with cash this holiday shopping season.
An economist at Duke University believes that "gift inflation" is a prime problem during the holidays, one that makes everyone less happy in the long run. The solution? Spending less and keeping it simple.
