For these retailers, the holiday season is crucial — and has deadlines

Dec 18, 2019
This holiday season, we're following several retailers from the end of November to the start of the New Year. This is part two of our series.
A holiday sale in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

How inflatable holiday decorations took over the front yard

Dec 6, 2019
It all goes back to a singing fish on a plaque.
Robbie Mamula calls his annual holiday display in Severn, Maryland, "Mamulaville."
Amy Scott/Marketplace

Do people really buy cars as holiday gifts?

Dec 5, 2019
It might be a good time to find a bargain, but that present might not be appreciated.
The Lexus "December to Remember" event has been running since 1999.
Lexus

One thing you can't buy online? Holiday nostalgia

Dec 4, 2019
Younger shoppers in particular value the brick-and-mortar shopping experience, research shows. Bash Party Goods takes that idea to heart.
Angela Wator hopes the in-store shopping experience draws consumers to her Chicago-based party store Festive Collective.
Courtesy of Bash Party Goods

E-commerce continues to change the nature of seasonal work

Dec 2, 2019
There are fewer seasonal retail jobs, but hiring in warehousing and transportation have picked up the slack.
A woman works at a distribution station at an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island in February 2019.
Johannes Eiselle/AFP via Getty Images

Gen Z most likely to shop in store on Black Friday

Nov 29, 2019
Even though they grew up on mobile, today's teens seem to still enjoy the social aspect of shopping in person.
Even though they were raised online, today's teens seem to enjoy the social aspect of hitting stores on Black Friday.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Record number of returns expected this holiday season

Nov 29, 2019
Online returns are costing retailers more than ever. In-store returns, however, create an opportunity for a shopper to buy something else.
Retailers are feeling pressure to have a smooth returns process, in addition to fast shipping.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Where are the shopping deals this year?

Nov 27, 2019
In clothing and appliances, sure. In furniture, not so much.
Shoppers walk past a 'Black Friday Sale' sign at a mall in 2018 in Naples, Florida.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Lots of Americans go into debt over the holidays

Nov 26, 2019
It’s the most financially stressful time of the year.
A man walks past holiday decorations along Fifth Avenue in  New York.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images