Consumer Reports conducted a survey to determine the consumer mood this coming holiday season. They found that of the poll respondents:
christmas
![Walmart CEO Optimistic About Christmas Because Broke People Shop At Walmart](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/crayons.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Walmart CEO Optimistic About Christmas Because Broke People Shop At Walmart
Walmart CEO, Lee Scott recently told analysts that he feels:
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Despite problems involving Chinese-made goods sold in the U.S., a Chinese spokesperson says that orders for Christmas toys are “up” and that factories can’t keep up with demand. But he also says, “I urge the importers of Chinese toys to come to China and buy more Chinese toys and I wish children around the world a Merry Christmas,” which makes the claim sound like PR spin. [Reuters]
![Buy All The Toys You Need Now, Because Prices Are Going Up](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/con_kidwithtoolittlemoney.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Buy All The Toys You Need Now, Because Prices Are Going Up
Just buy ’em and scrape off the lead paint. Why? Because toy makers will be passing the cost of higher-quality and better-made toys on to you next year. Says one analyst, “Anything that’s a new introduction, you can make that price point $19.99 rather than $14.99.”
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If you’re thinking about buying an HDTV, experts advise waiting till after January, when price drops are sure to follow Christmas overstocks. [NYT]
![July 10: The First Christmas Catalog Has Arrived!](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/christmasinjuly.jpg?w=150&h=215&crop=1)
July 10: The First Christmas Catalog Has Arrived!
Paul over at Network World has the dubious distinction of reporting the season’s first Christmas catalog, which he and his wife received on July 10.
![Recycle Your Xmas Tree](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/deadtree.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Recycle Your Xmas Tree
Don’t be one of those people with a Christmas tree up in February, recycle it! Here are some fun things that cities are doing with their trees.
HOW TO: Have Happy Returns
The tree is shedding needles and the cheap champagne hangover has faded along with your memory, which means it’s time to think about returning all those crappy gifts you got. Consumer Reports Shopping blog has some tips on making your returns happy:
Brown Can’t Do Anything For Denver
The snowstorm that slammed the Denver area canceled Christmas for many folks expecting deliveries from UPS, aka Brown Santa.
Why Our Presents Are Late
Here’s the yuletide apologia we just dashed off to our family to explain why all our presents will be late this year: outsourcing.
Unused Gift Cards Profit Retailers By $4.8 Billion
Six percent of this year’s gift cards will go unused, netting retailers $4.8 billion in free money, the AP reports.
Last-Minute Shipping Deadlines For Online Shopping
Make sure your gift arrives in time to be shoved under the tinsel by checking out these last-minute shipping deadlines for online stores.
![Air Rifles Recalled: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/shootyoureyeout.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Air Rifles Recalled: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out
Just in time for Christmas, there’s a recall on air rifles. Not on a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time, of course…
![USPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/shippingdeadlines.jpg?w=300&h=83&crop=1)
USPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines
Keep these dates on hand so your sweaters and socks arrive to their intended recipients on time this holiday season.