Winter Holidays

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Higher consumer confidence levels, increased impulse buying and consumer intent to spend more could all lead to an upside surprise in 2012 holiday spending, according to Nielsen analyses.

Although almost six out of every 10 consumers (59%) reported plans to spend the same as last year, there is a 10-point drop (from 37% in 2011 to 27% in 2012) in the number of people expecting to spend less. Eight percent of respondents reported plans to spend more this holiday season, up from 5% in 2011 and 2010.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — It seems that consumers' holiday spending intentions are more positive than last year, according to NPD's 11th annual holiday retail study.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is looking to ease the fears of consumers concerned about risig food costs by promising not to raise prices on hundreds of items through the holidays.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is making it easier for small businesses and consumers to get ready for the holiday season with its online holiday center.

According to the company, this year's Staples Holiday Center includes an expanded product assortment with more gift ideas than ever as well as recipes and homemade crafts.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has come out with what it believes will be the hot toy trends for the 2012 holiday season.

ATLANTA — Hair accessories brand Goody is gearing up for the holidays with its Luxe line of hair accessories, which will feature new styles and designs for the holidays.

The Luxe collection is comprised of four styles: Vine, Deco, Antique and Starburst.  They range from classic to modern and capture the crisp, sleek lines of art deco, the charm and romance of vintage jewels, the whimsy and light of the constellations and the flourishing expressions of vines and blooms.

Port Washington, N.Y. -- The majority of consumers intend to spend the same (67%) this holiday season than last year, and 10% plan to spend more while fewer that say they plan to spend less, according to the NPD Group’s 11th Annual Holiday Survey.

CINCINNATI and WAYNE, N.J. — Macy’s and Toys"R"Us -- likely the two retailers most associated with Christmas -- have joined together for a unique retail partnership.

MINNEAPOLIS — More unsettling news from Best Buy this week, as the company announced the departure of EVP and CFO Jim Muehlbauer.

Muehlbauer, who joined the company in 2002, will support the company through 2013 as it searches for a new finance chief.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart said Tuesday it is testing same-day delivery service in four markets over the holiday shopping season.

The service is being tested in northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and San Francisco/San Jose, Calif. Geared toward customers who buy popular items online during the holidays, the test includes about 5,000 items and builds on a same-day grocery delivery service the retailer launched in San Jose in April 2010 and tested in San Francisco in 2011.