Winter Holidays

Ottawa, Canada – The U.S. retail tradition of ‘Cyber Week’ is spreading north. New data based on parcel volumes compiled by Canadian mail service Canada Post show that e-commerce shipments as a result of Cyber Week this year have doubled since 2012.  

More than 3,200 military members, veterans and their families attended the Holiday for Heroes event at Mall of America.

The mall, working with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, invited attendees to enjoy unlimited rides at Nickelodeon Universe, free breakfast at Hard Rock Cafe, a military resource fair, visits with Santa, an ugly sweater photo booth and prizes valued at more than $200.

This is the first year Mall of America has hosted Holiday for Heroes.

San Francisco – Some people complain about customers who put off holiday shopping till the last minute, but Banana Republic is welcoming them with open arms. Banana Republic is offering “The Procrastinators Event,” a special promotion for last-minute shoppers, from Dec. 17-22.   

San Francisco – In the last several years, restaurant revenue declined 22 to 45% during the post-Thanksgiving holiday period. According to a study across quick-serve, fast casual, and fine dining chains by customer engagement solutions provider Thanx Media Inc., the average restaurant experienced a 27% revenue decline in December, as compared to that year's monthly average.   

Banana Republic is taking an innovative approach to last-minute holiday shoppers this year: top-notch perks and special discounts for procrastinators.

The company will be offering a “Procrastinators Event,” a special promotion for last-minute shoppers, from Dec. 17-22.

Austin, Texas - More than half (56%) of Christmas shoppers surveyed typically have gifts left to purchase by the time "Panic Saturday,” the last Saturday to shop for holiday gifts before Christmas (also referred to as "Super Saturday"), rolls around. According to a new consumer survey from digital offers site RetailMeNot, nearly one in 5 (18%) Christmas shoppers surveyed admit that they've actually waited until the Saturday before Christmas to begin shopping for presents.  

Wayne, N.J. – Toys ‘R Us Inc. shrunk its net loss to $213 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $605 million in the year ago, helped by expense controls and a less intense promotional enviroment.  The retailer, however, did not provide an outlook for its holiday performance.  

HSN is looking to drive more sales by leveraging the popularity of former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal with a new product line.

HSN and O’Neal will be selling a new collection near and dear to his heart: DRONE Precision Timepieces, a range of men's and women's watches.