Holiday shoppers may see big discounts soon
NEW YORK — If shoppers don’t show up in stores soon, more 70 percent off sale signs will. After a promising start to the holiday shopping season over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, sales have slowed as worries about weak U.S. job growth and other concerns have caused Americans to spend less. That puts pressure on […]
Christmas, New Year’s travel busiest in 6 years
NEW YORK — This Christmas travel season could be the busiest in six years, with AAA predicting that 93.3 million Americans will hit the road. That’s 1.6 percent more than last year and just 400,000 people shy of the 2006 record. More cars will crowd the highways than ever before, largely because finding a seat […]
Holiday shopping campaign seeks to boost local stores
As December approaches, small business owners across Baltimore are beefing up their inventories and preparing to woo holiday shoppers with unique products and personal service.
Saturday boosts small business
Last Saturday, hundreds of small business owners in Maryland arrived at the shops where they earn their livelihoods — clothing boutiques, ice cream parlors, craft stores — to set up for the day. Then they waited.
Cyber Monday: $200 million that Maryland won’t ever see
As Marylanders join millions of others nationwide in the computer shopping blitz that’s become known as Cyber Monday, they should think about this: If they paid the sales tax they owe to the state for such purchases, Maryland would be $200 million richer. The problem is, virtually no one pays, and the state’s top tax […]
Earlier Black Friday kicks off shopping season
This year’s Black Friday shoppers were split into two distinct groups: those who wanted to fall into a turkey-induced slumber and those who’d rather shop instead. Stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving that’s named Black Friday because of retail folklore that it’s traditionally when merchants turn […]
In 3rd year, Small Business Saturday gains some traction
The holiday season is no time to exclude others. But three years ago, that’s exactly what officials at a major credit card company saw happening — at least in the world of shopping.
What I’m thankful for
Thanksgiving has always been one my favorite holidays because it is a time of reflection.
It’s becoming Black Thursday night
This holiday season, many big box retailers are hoping consumers will overcome the tryptophan-induced lethargy after their turkey dinners and hit the stores Thanksgiving night. Thousands of retail locations are opening that evening to capitalize early on the weekend shopping craze and capture sales from consumers who would otherwise spend those hours buying items online.
UPS sees delivery of 527 million holiday packages
NEW YORK — UPS expects to deliver 527 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, surpassing last year’s record high by 10 percent. The world’s largest package delivery company estimates 28 million of those will be delivered on Thursday, Dec. 20 — projected to be the busiest day of the year. That’s nearly double […]
Retail group predicts growth in holiday sales
NEW YORK — Americans are expected to spend more during what’s traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year, but they’re not exactly ready to shop ’til they drop like they have been in the past two years. The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, said Tuesday that it expects sales during […]
Md. has service reduction day for state employees
ANNAPOLIS — It’s a service reduction day for state employees in Maryland. State workers will be observing it on Friday. On such days, the state significantly reduces routine state operations for employees who do not work for agencies that provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service reduction days precede holiday […]