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
By 10.25.07
Walmart CEO, Lee Scott recently told analysts that he feels:
By 10.18.07
../../../..//2007/10/18/despite-problems-involving-chinese-made/
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]
Many Shoppers Just Aren't Buying Christmas Stuff In October
By 10.12.07
Apparently a lot of U.S. consumers feel the same way as our readers do about stores putting up Christmas displays before Halloween—that is, they don’t like it. A new survey finds that despite early store displays, 40% of shoppers don’t plan on starting Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving, an increase of 10% over the previous year.
Buy All The Toys You Need Now, Because Prices Are Going Up
By 10.10.07
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.”
Stores Know You Don't Like Christmas Marketing In October, But Don't Care
By 10.9.07
A “Christmas Creep” article in the New York Times gathered a bunch of quotes from retailers explaining why they feel the need to start marketing Christmas two holidays in advance. The verdict? They seem to know it irritates you, but they don’t really care.
By 8.27.07
../../../..//2007/08/27/if-youre-thinking-about-buying/
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!
By 7.13.07
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
By 1.2.07
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
By 1.2.07
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
By 12.27.06
The snowstorm that slammed the Denver area canceled Christmas for many folks expecting deliveries from UPS, aka Brown Santa.
Why Our Presents Are Late
By 12.23.06
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
By 12.19.06
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
By 12.13.06
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
By 12.8.06
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
By 12.1.06
Keep these dates on hand so your sweaters and socks arrive to their intended recipients on time this holiday season.
