ArchivesCategory: Tips

by Doug Desjardins With analysts forecasting a big jump in Cyber Monday sales, more retailers are stepping up their deals and discounts this year and – in some cases – giving them an early start. JC Penney will get in on that trend by starting its Cyber Monday sale on Sunday night. In addition to Continue Reading

Increase in October Sales a Good Sign for Holidays By Doug Desjardins Retail sales continued to improve in October, results that have retailers more upbeat about holiday sales than they’ve been in years. October sales increased 1.2 percent, a small jump that nonetheless was one of the biggest monthly increases this year and an improvement Continue Reading

Retailers Start Black Friday Sales Early By Doug Desjardins The idea of starting Black Friday sales early has caught on this year with more retailers opting to start sales on Thanksgiving Day. Leading the way is Sears, which will break from a long tradition and open on Thanksgiving for the first time in its 124-year Continue Reading

Leaked Black Friday Ads Heavy on Home Electronics By Doug Desjardins With Black Friday just one week away, word is leaking out on what various retailers will be offering for their annual door-buster sales. Though the importance of Black Friday has been watered down this year by the slate of pre-Black Friday sales, they still Continue Reading

With almost two weeks left until Thanksgiving, I've stepped up the shopping a little bit.  I want to have all the non-perishable groceries I'll need for Turkey Day in my pantry as soon as possible, because I absolutely hate to go grocery shopping during the week of Thanksgiving (or as I call it, Amateur Week.)  Continue Reading

by Doug Desjardins Wal-Mart fired a shot across the bow of Amazon.com and other online retailers this week when it announced free holiday shopping for online orders through December 20. The move makes Wal-Mart the first major retailer to completely waive the minimum-purchase standards typically attached to online orders, raising the bar for other retailers. Continue Reading

by Doug Desjardins Video-game retailers have been in a downward spiral all year and even though analysts are forecasting an increase in overall holiday spending, game sales aren’t expected to be in that mix. Research firm NPD Group reported that video game sales dropped 8 percent in September, marking the sixth consecutive month that sales Continue Reading

by Doug Desjardins Once thought to be recession-proof, the video game industry has been mired in a prolonged slump, but the arrival of two new game console add-ons is giving retailers hopes for a long-awaited rebound. The September release of Sony Move and November release of Microsoft Kinect gave the industry some much-needed new products Continue Reading

If you think that postponing your shopping until mid-December is a good idea, you haven't been paying attention to the bargains being offered early this year to savvy shoppers.  You can strike gold this November with great deals on things like: THANKSGIVING-DINNER NECESSITIES Aluminum foil Plastic wrap Disposable baking pans Cookware GIFTS Electronics Toys Tools Continue Reading

Are you afraid to shop this early for Christmas, figuring that the best deals won't show up until December? This year, you might do better to get it done now--especially if you like to do your shopping at Walmart. They're discounting all kinds of toys and electronics--as well as many other hot holiday items--way before Continue Reading