The prospect of getting free candy from strangers isn’t the only reason to participate in Halloween this year. National retailers are promising free (or nearly free) donuts, Legos, pancakes, burritos, corn dogs, and more on October 31.
Retail
Stores Are About to Push Further Into Thanksgiving Day
This year, one mall is pushing further into family time by opening doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving to kick off “29 hours of continuous Black Friday specials and promotions.”
“Horrifying” Racist, Sexist Costumes Cause Halloween Backlash
This Halloween season there is an offensive offensive, with groups pushing retailers to stop selling costumes that they consider racist, insensitive, inappropriate, or unnecessary.
Sharpton Meeting With Barneys CEO Over Profiling Accusations
Two black customers have accused the store of racial profiling
The Shutdown Is Over But Could Still Ruin Holiday Shopping
The lingering effects of the federal shutdown, combined with a general lack of confidence in both the economy and the ability of our nation’s political leaders to avoid gridlock, means that retailers are looking at a …
Better Add Extra Box of Printer Paper to Your Cart, Because Amazon Just Made It Harder to Get Free Shipping
On Monday, Amazon very quietly made a policy change, pushing the minimum requirement for free standard shipping from $25 to $35. The tweak is likely to cause some shoppers to think twice about placing orders at Amazon. But …
Shoppers Snatch Up $250 Boxes Without Knowing What’s Inside
Would you cough up $250 to a luxury retailer without knowing exactly what you were getting? Plenty of Neiman Marcus shoppers found just such a deal — which supposedly has a value of $600 — too tempting to pass up.
Hey, Thanksgiving Shoppers: Macy’s Isn’t the Only One to Blame for Ruining the Holiday
Macy’s has been getting a lot of grief for announcing that the store will open its doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving for the first time ever. But because its retail competitors are doing the same — and because our …
J.C. Penney Follows Macy’s In Pre-Black Friday Rush
The Black Friday arms race has begun
Milk, Smokes and Beer Are Shutdown Casualties
The federal shutdown has undeniably damaged the local economy in Washington, D.C., as well as regions where national parks are the lifeblood for local businesses. But—even as the ordeal appears to be winding down—it may have …
What Your Halloween Spending—Particularly, Your Choice of Costume—Says About You
Halloween is no longer a kid’s holiday. In fact, more money is now spent on adult costumes than outfits for children. If you’ve ever wondered what someone’s Halloween costume selection says about his or her personality, read on.
Look Out, Amazon: More Shoppers Browse Online, Then Purchase in Stores
In the retail world, there’s tons of talk about so-called showrooming, when shoppers use real-world stores for browsing and websites for purchasing the goods inspected in person. According to a new survey, however, more shoppers …