More than 40% of Americans have an unused gift card, according to Bankrate.

The proportion has doubled since last year. Amid constant advertising, more people have credit card balances and those balances are rising.

Advent calendars, which help brands market directly to consumers, are big business. Social media has a lot to do with their popularity.

The season offers swindlers many opportunities to lure trusting shoppers. But there are ways to protect yourself.

The 0% interest on many buy now, pay later plans is appealing to cash-strapped holiday shoppers. But nonpayment ends up on credit reports.

Pre-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales aren’t just about getting more of our money early. It’s about getting us to imagine all the things we want to buy as prices continue to drop.

Data like credit card swipes and parking lot satellite photos show trends long before many measures of consumer sentiment.

Sisters Stevi Bell and Amanda Calhoun of Fantasy Island Toys, talk about their plans for the busiest shopping season of the year.

Chinese brands like SHEIN and Temu are expected to play a major role in holiday shopping this year. So will American consumers put their money where their mouth is this holiday season?

Web retail requires no mall Santas or displays, and shoppers easily compare prices online, so the messaging starts around Oct. 1, experts say.