Winter Holidays

New York - The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index moved down again in September, showing the second month of small declines. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

Los Angeles — The U.S. commercial real estate market continued a slow, but steady, recovery in the third quarter of 2013, according to the latest analysis from CBRE Group.

In the quarter, the retail availability rate declined 10 basis points to 12.2% and had fallen 70 basis points from one year ago.

By Michael Zea, president and CEO, U.S., Aimia
 
Amid weaker-than-expected August retail sales, leading retailers are kick-starting their holiday shopping season by wooing existing shoppers through their customer loyalty programs. Retailers are increasing their investment in the traditional transaction-based loyalty efforts because of the proven success of rewarding customers for their purchases.
 

New York -- E-commerce solution-provider Borderfree said it has partnered with The Container Store to expand the chain’s international e-commerce reach in time for the holidays.

Previously only accessible to consumers in the U.S., and Canada, The Container Store’s online product offerings are now available to consumers in Australia, India, Mexico, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, and the U.K.

I don’t want to be a Grinch, but things aren’t looking too promising for retailers who were hoping to end the year on a holiday high note. But, before I get into more predictions on retail sales this holiday season, it might be a good idea to talk a little bit about why I’m feeling so lukewarm about the prospects for a 2013 end-of-year bonanza.

The Container Store is turning to Borderfree, a leading global e-commerce platform, to help it expand its international e-commerce reach in time for the holiday season.

Previously only accessible to consumers in the U.S. and Canada, the Container Store’s online product offerings are now available to consumers in Australia, India, Mexico, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Kansas City — Legends Outlets Kansas City has announced that a Toys “R” Us Express pop-up location is now open at the Village West shopping and dining destination. The 3,954-sq.-ft. store will operate through the holiday season.

Atlanta -- HoneyBaked is gearing up for the holiday season. The company is preparing for its annual rush on its signature food products by providing part-time jobs for thousands of people nationwide. The company anticipates hiring 10,000 seasonal associates, increasing its workforce by 200%.