Six out of ten people check e-mail during the holidays, and many find that there are messages from their workplaces. A new poll by Harris Interactive and Xobni shows that 59% of employed Americans check their work email during family holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
As the holiday shopping season kicks off, a report this month from ChangeWave forecasts that Apple will lead sales of consumer electronics, outpacing other sellers of computers, tablets and home electronics in buyers' shopping plans.
As retailers wrapped up their earnings reports this week, most said they're back in cost-control mode and will tighten inventories after the holidays. Shoppers are still spending cautiously and costs are on the rise, so profits will have to be squeezed out of slowly rising sales.
While it probably should have done this long ago, Amazon will now let you send an e-book to anyone, Kindle owner or not. The online retail giant's move is aimed at undermining a similar one by rival Kobo -- and shows how hard it is to outmaneuver Amazon in the marketplace.
On average, U.S. consumers will spend about 4% more on gift cards this upcoming holiday season than they did a year ago, as improving financial conditions allow people to spend a little more on presents, a new report predicts.
Amazon will hire more than 12,500 temporary workers for its U.S. fulfillment centers during the holiday season as the world's largest online retailer gears up for its busiest time of year.
If expectations become reality, retailers will have a good holiday season this year. According to a report from the International Council of Shopping Centers on Wednesday, retailer optimism is at a three-year high.
At many companies, Columbus Day and other federal holidays are just another work day. This can wreak havoc on working parents' schedules because most school districts honor federal holidays. That's especially true if the day in question creeps up with little notice.
Toys R Us is going all out for the holidays, opening over 600 new pop-up stores and hiring at least 10,000 people to expand its base for the biggest shopping season. Shoppers will also see more FAO Schwartz stores this year, as the company seeks to expand its exclusive brand.
As part of Yahoo's year-end do-gooder campaign, it paid baggage fees for travelers at two California airports. The gimmick tied in with Yahoo's mission of easing life's navigation, but if the online media company is wise, it could be the seed for a new and better marketing campaign.
Holiday sales rose more than expected in 2009, offering a surprise gift to retailers still struggling from last year's devastating drop. Now inventories are heading up, suggesting an even better 2010.
Retailers have been hoping that this holiday season would at least be as good as the disastrous one in 2008. But early numbers from retailers and private research firms show brick-and-mortar store sales running flat. A big snow storm in the East could make matters worse.
