holiday shopping

Shoppers encountered temperature checks and mall Santas behind plexiglas shields. But online sales may have stolen the show.

The day after Thanksgiving is still the busiest shopping day of the year. But, for many reasons, it is losing its status as the focal point of the holiday shopping season.

What started off as a strong holiday shopping season ended with a whimper, as December retail sales posted the sharpest drop in nine years. That could mean GDP growth will miss the president's target.

For millions of Americans working in retail, Thanksgiving is the start to the most intense stretch of the year. One woman shares the story of her first Thanksgiving without a work shift in 23 years.

In reaction to a recent decision by UPS to add a peak holiday delivery surcharge, some retailers are adding rewards and discounts for customers who choose "no hurry" slower delivery options.

The department store chain says it's eliminating more than 10,000 jobs and will proceed with plans to close 68 stores that are part of 100 closings announced in August.

Politics dominated the news this week. But the business world also had some interesting stories. Here are just three, involving: Black Friday shopping; sham bank accounts and dining out.

It's been warmer than usual around the country and hardly feels like gift-giving season. Some economists say December sales will be fine after Christmas when consumers shop for sales with gift cards.

U.S. retailers are looking to add more than 700,000 jobs this holiday season — about the same as last year. But retailers may have a harder time filling those jobs because of a shrinking labor pool.

While other things made with paper have become obsolete, Americans received nearly 12 billion catalogs in the mail last year — and they love them, says one business consultant.

In-store purchases on Black Friday fell this year, but online sales have seen a big increase. Easy comparison shopping and widespread free shipping have sweetened the deal for many online shoppers.