new year

Hospitality analysts say this season's year-end celebrations are more numerous and a bit more lavish than the past several years. Champagne is replacing sparkling wine, and better food is getting served. Signs, they say, of an economy on the mend.

Recession-weary workers may finally get some encouraging news: Private-sector annual wages will improve in the coming months, albeit modestly, according to data compiled by BNA, publisher of Daily Labor Report.

One long standing retail tradition is to offer gift card bonuses leading up to the holidays to give gift givers a little extra incentive to give a gift card. This year the trend continues, and we are seeing bigger bonus offers coming in from retailers beyond the restaurant industry. Retailers...