Topic: The National Retail Federation
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Three best ways (and three worst ways) to finance holiday shopping
Consumers tend to rack up a lot of credit card debt during the fourth quarter, largely due to holiday expenses. This year, by one estimate, the average holiday shopper is on track to spend around $800. For many, that means financing, which remains a double-edged sword despite historically low interest rates and an array of new consumer protections. It can either save you a lot of money in interest and fees or trip you up with caveats buried in fine print that drastically inflate your expenses. Here are three of the best and three of the worst financing offers for holiday shoppers in 2012:
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Six tips to get a seasonal job
When it comes to quickly adding hundreds of thousands of workers to payrolls, nothing does the trick quite like the holidays. Companies will add hundreds of thousands of workers in the run-up to Christmas. Here are six tips to help you get one of those temporary jobs:
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Father’s Day gifts: 5 things to do with Dad for under $150
Father's Day gifts are around the corner, and we're spending the most Father's Day bucks this year on experiences. This suggests we want to spend time with Dad, more than anything. With that in mind, here are 5 suggestions for Father's Day outings that won't break the bank.
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Holiday shopping online: How to avoid the '12 cyber scams of Christmas'
With more Americans turning to the Internet for more of their holiday shopping needs, good cybersecurity is vital to avoid a raft of scams – from promises of "free iPads" to "holidays screensavers" that install malware on your computer. Here are the "12 cyber scams of Christmas."
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Jack-o'-lanterns and more: five symbols in the history of Halloween
Halloween has its own collection of seasonal iconography, much like a Christmas tree or an Easter basket. Since the October holiday straddles the line between celebration and superstition, it's no surprise some of the day's symbols are of a darker origin.
Here are five things that are intertwined with the history of Halloween.
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Mattel and Hasbro 'terrified': Do kids want gadgets more than toys?
Mattel and Hasbro terrified that kids will want toys less next year, according to reports. Hot toys did well this Christmas, but retailers in general saw less growth than expected.
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Retail sales just ho-hum this holiday season
Preliminary reports show holiday sales rose only 0.7 percent over November and December, which could be the economy's worst holiday performance since 2008.
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Are 'fiscal cliff' woes killing Christmas sales?
In last weekend before Christmas, traditionally a strong sales period, shoppers cite worries over taxes and so-so discounts as reasons to rein in spending. Experts warn of ho-hum holiday sales.
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Shopping procrastination? Tips for last-minute Christmas gifts online.
Some people had all of their holiday shopping done a month ago. But there's still time for procrastinators who want to snag last-minute Christmas gifts online.
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Christmas shopping: Did retail season already go over the 'fiscal cliff'?
Holiday retail sales were hampered initially this year by the the aftermath of hurricane Sandy and more recently by shoppers' fiscal cliff fears. The run-up to Christmas will make or break the season.
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Three best ways (and three worst ways) to finance holiday shopping
Consumers tend to rack up a lot of credit card debt during the fourth quarter, largely due to holiday expenses. This year, by one estimate, the average holiday shopper is on track to spend around $800. For many, that means financing, which remains a double-edged sword despite historically low interest rates and an array of new consumer protections. It can either save you a lot of money in interest and fees or trip you up with caveats buried in fine print that drastically inflate your expenses. Here are three of the best and three of the worst financing offers for holiday shoppers in 2012:
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Shopper alert! Will labor strike at L.A. ports mean bare shelves?
The holiday inventory is already in place, but goods for the post-Christmas sales are bottled up off the coast of Los Angeles, as container ships from Asia go unattended due to a six-day labor strike.
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Cyber Monday, Black Friday sales strong. Do they matter?
Cyber Monday set sales records and Black Friday spending was robust. But the long Black Friday weekend is no barometer for overall holiday shopping – it may even be a negative.
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Stocks end lower after strong week
Stocks retreated after one of their best weeks of the year. Anxiety over the 'fiscal cliff' and European debt drove stocks down.
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Black Friday record: Weekend sales up 13 percent
Black Friday record pushes spending to $59 billion over four days. By extending Black Friday, retailers made it easy to shop and drew in record numbers of shoppers.
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Cyber Monday: deals could lead to biggest online sales day (+video)
Cyber Monday deals are expected to rack up $1.5 billion in sales, up 20 percent from last year's Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday deals include deep discounts on televisions, major appliances, and jewelry.
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Cyber Monday: More firms say its OK to shop at work
Cyber Monday, the busiest online shopping day of the year, is likely to lure many workers to go online in search of Cyber Monday deals. This year, only a third of companies are blocking access to online shopping sites, according to a recent survey.
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Black Friday: Will the 'fiscal cliff' darken the mood in the malls?
Economists view Black Friday as a litmus test for consumer confidence, which is showing signs of weakening. Whether Washington can come to terms to avert the fiscal cliff – and tax hikes – is a wild card.
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On Black Friday, retailers take customization to the next level
To combat online shopping and a slow economy, more retailers are providing more convenient shipping options and providing layaway, price matching, and smart phone apps for shoppers.
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Six tips to get a seasonal job
When it comes to quickly adding hundreds of thousands of workers to payrolls, nothing does the trick quite like the holidays. Companies will add hundreds of thousands of workers in the run-up to Christmas. Here are six tips to help you get one of those temporary jobs:
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FedEx will add 20,000 workers for busy holiday season
FedEx predicts it will ship 280 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To handle the surge, FedEx will hire 20,000 additional seasonal workers – the same as last year.
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Modern Parenthood
Back-to-school stats: How much do Americans spend shopping?Americans spend billions on back-to-school shopping, whether it is for clothes or books, according to statistics from the US Census Bureau. But maybe the spending is worth it; people with higher degrees still earn more.
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Modern Parenthood
Back-to-school shopping shocker: $700 for first-grade supplies?Back-to-school shopping trends report suggest the average – that's average – cost of kindergarten through 12-grade classroom supplies is close to $700. Time for a funky vintage school supply fad?
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Retail sales down three months in a row: why economy is cooling
Behind the economic gloom that has seen retail activity decline for three straight months are a weak job market, high debt loads, even fears of the looming 'fiscal cliff.'
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Independence Day: Do July 4 droughts hurt fireworks sales?
Independence Day 2012 coincides with devastating wildfires across Colorado, resulting in a statewide ban on fireworks. But droughts are a common feature of the Independence Day holiday season, and the fireworks industry has found ways to cope with Mother Nature.
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Father’s Day gifts: 5 things to do with Dad for under $150
Father's Day gifts are around the corner, and we're spending the most Father's Day bucks this year on experiences. This suggests we want to spend time with Dad, more than anything. With that in mind, here are 5 suggestions for Father's Day outings that won't break the bank.
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Eat Peeps? Nah. Decorate!
Marshmallow Peeps are an Easter basket staple, and their popularity goes far beyond their taste. Here's a peek at Peeps craft.
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Valentine's Day gifts: How to save money on roses
This Valentine's Day, consumers will spend an estimated $1.8 billion on flowers, mostly roses. But high demand combined with an off-peak growing season can make Valentine's Day roses quite pricey. Here's how to save.
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Black Friday boom: Perfect start to promising holiday shopping season?
A record 226 million shoppers visited stores and websites over Black Friday weekend, up from 212 million last year. But the mood remains one of caution and strategic buying for the rest of the holiday season.
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Holiday shopping online: How to avoid the '12 cyber scams of Christmas'
With more Americans turning to the Internet for more of their holiday shopping needs, good cybersecurity is vital to avoid a raft of scams – from promises of "free iPads" to "holidays screensavers" that install malware on your computer. Here are the "12 cyber scams of Christmas."
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