luxury handbag

As the economy improves, Americans have begun splurging again. But they're limiting their indulgences to haircuts, casual dining and coffee, while continuing to forego many bigger expenditures, like vacations and dining at expensive restaurants.

Coach reported a 34% increase in its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday, as the handbags and accessories maker continued to see sales pick up in North America and China. Net income for the quarter rose to $195.5 million from $145.8 million a year earlier.

Ready, Set, Shop! Fast paced and limited quantity sales are the new hotness when it comes to brand name luxury goods. Several sites have popped up recently to cater to bargain hungry consumers. These sites often send out alerts as emails and text messages when a new sale on Prada or Gucci gets...