Topic: The National Retail Federation

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. 

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.

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.

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." 

Best Buy a winner in holiday sales weekend

Best Buy sees turnaround from disappointing 2010 Black Friday sales by opening at midnight, focusing on low TV prices. Beyond Best Buy, Macy's and Walmart also score well in holiday sales weekend.

As Cyber Monday approaches, Black Friday sets new records

Black Friday this year set new records for in-store and online buying. Despite high unemployment and a generally worrisome economy, nearly half of all Americans went shopping.

So far, Black Friday seems to be bustling. Is the economy improving?

Black Friday weekend may give economists a snapshot of how shoppers are feeling going into the holiday season. Even though some consumer numbers are sluggish, Americans may spend when they hit the malls.

Pepper spray and violence mar Black Friday bargain hunting

Although most storekeepers managed shoppers with few problems, several cases of retail-related violence cropped up. How can Black Friday be made safer for all who participate?

Thanksgiving now a Black Friday 'prequel'? Big deals begin Thursday.

To lure Americans away from the Thanksgiving table and into the Black Friday shopping frenzy, US retailers are offering some delectable early-bird specials. 

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.

Top costumes for Halloween: Nicki Minaj, Angry Birds, Captain America top 2011 lists

Top costumes for Halloween: The best selling Halloween costumes for 2011 range from rapper Nicki Minaj to Angry Birds, depending on the source.

Halloween spending: not so spooky this year

Halloween spending should rise this year. Better Halloween spending is a good sign for retailers generally.

Herman Cain: Who came up with the 999 plan?

With Herman Cain now a GOP front-runner in some polls, DCDecoder offers a four-point primer on Cain's 999 plan.

Senate hits China for 'cheating' to steal US jobs

The Senate voted Monday to advance a bill that would punish China for manipulating its currency to drive exports. If it became law, the bill would risk a trade war over US jobs.

Herman Cain's '999 plan': long overdue tax reform or job killer?

Herman Cain's political star is lately on the rise, thanks in no small part to the persistent marketing of his '9-9-9 plan' to reform the tax code. Independent economists say the plan takes us into uncharted territory.

Credit cards: set to get a lot smarter?

Credit cards rely on old, fraud-prone system in the US. But Visa moves could be tipping point to turn credit cards into smart cards.

'Flash robs': How Twitter is being twisted for criminal gain [VIDEO]

'Flash robs' take social-media driven 'flash mobs' into new and dark territory, using Twitter and Facebook to organize thefts. It's a sign of how the Internet can reshape criminal behavior.

Snow storm routine getting old? No worries, the groundhog got it right.

The weather pattern that sent snow storm after snow storm across the US is breaking down, leading to forecasts of one of the biggest snow meltdowns 'we have ever seen.'

Can economy's 2010 growth spurt last? Five clues.

The US economy grew at a relatively healthy 3.2 percent annual rate in the final quarter of 2010, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That is an improvement from a 2.6 percent rate in the third quarter.

But to many Americans, it's hard to tell if anything is really better. Buried in the new report are clues to why that is – and what might happen to the economy in the year ahead. Here are five things that the government’s preliminary report on gross domestic product reveals about the health of the economy.

What businesses liked in the State of the Union – and what they didn't

President Obama had chilly relations with US businesses until late 2010. The tone has changed, but they’re waiting to see what happens with some of the proposals in the State of the Union address.

Buy, buy, buy: Holiday shopping 2010 may break records

This year's holiday shopping season is on track be the biggest ever. Americans are surpassing pre-recession spending to break new consumer ground.

Day-after-Christmas sales: Stars are aligned for a super Sunday

This year, day-after-Christmas sales are expected to be even more festive than usual. Fortuitous timing and Americans' renewed willingness to spend should cap the improved retail season.

Consumer spending is up: Are Americans enjoying a post-recession holiday?

Consumer spending this holiday season is higher in all retail categories. Debt is down, disposable income is up, and analysts say recession-weary shoppers are 'tired of being afraid.'

You bought it. Are you happy?

Money can make you happier – to a point – but not in the way you think.

Gas prices: 'Tis not the season for $3 a gallon. What happened?

Gas prices are near $3 a gallon, which is high for the holiday season. Retailers are nervous about the impact on consumer spending, but analysts say prices should start to come down soon.