Latest Holiday spending News
December retail sales slip after a record holiday season
NEW YORK (AP) — Americans overlooked shortages, spiking prices and uncertainty over the omicron variant to break spending records during the critical holiday shopping season. But figures released Friday show that after spending robustly early in the holiday season, consumers sharply slowed their...
Liz Weston: This year, resolve to leave no gift card unused
Years ago, a friend who needed cash sold me a $100 Nordstrom gift card. I wish I knew where the heck I put it. Gift cards are a popular holiday solution, especially recently, as supply chain disruptions and shipping delays have made gift buying more challenging. Most gift cards are...
Holiday gift returns may end up with this Bethesda company
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Bethesda, Maryland-based Liquidity Services has been helping retail, industrial and government clients capitalize on returned merchandise, overstocked goods and excess inventory for more than 20 years. And it will be a big part of repurposing gift returns again this...
Holiday gifts taken from luggage, replaced with dog food
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — A woman who returned from a flight to Europe with more than $3,000 worth of gifts in her luggage found the contents gone — and replaced with dog food. Gina Sheldon, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, also found an old T-shirt and a shaving cream bottle in her...
Consumer prices up 5.7% over past year, fastest in 39 years
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer prices rose 5.7% over the past year, the fastest pace in 39 years, as a surge in inflation confronts Americans with the holiday shopping season under way. The November increase, reported Thursday by the Commerce Department, followed a 5.1% rise for...
Wait, whom should we tip for the holidays — and how much?
You’re likely planning to give some extra love to family and friends this time of year. But what about your dog walker or babysitter? If you haven’t already, consider showing appreciation for your service providers with a gift or bonus gratuity. After all, now is the time to...
Inflation squeezes holiday budgets for low-income shoppers
NEW YORK (AP) — Emarilis Velazquez is paying higher prices on everything from food to clothing. Her monthly grocery bill has ballooned from $650 to almost $850 in recent months. To save money, she looks for less expensive cuts of meat and has switched to a cheaper detergent. She...
Lottery, council: Don't gift scratch tickets to minors
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Lottery is teaming with up with the state's Council for Responsible Gambling this holiday season to remind people that lottery games are not appropriate gifts for those under 18. “We encourage players to consider scratch tickets as gifts...
Resale is making gains in December holiday gift shopping
NEW YORK (AP) — Second hand. Like new. Thrift. Buy Nothing. Gently used. There are lots of ways to describe consumption in the booming resale market. Add “Merry Christmas!” to the list. Resale has taken off among those looking to save the planet and spend less...
Avoid going overboard and over budget on kids’ holiday gifts
It’s hard to resist the holiday messaging to buy gifts — and lots of them — to make the season brighter and more fulfilling. However, supply chain disruptions may make this year’s shopping stressful, especially for parents looking to buy toys in short supply. Shortages...
