Winter Holidays

New York City -- Confidence among U.S. consumers increased more than forecast in November to the highest level in five months. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment rose to 71.6 during the month, from 67.7 in October. Economists had projected a reading of 69.5.

The report came as retailers prepared for the Black Friday shopping onslaught, the official start of the holiday shopping season.

New York City -- Online spending should increase by 11% this holiday shopping season, according to date collected by comScore. Already, consumers have spent $9 billion online in the first 21 days of November, a 13% increase versus the corresponding days last year.

ComScore is forecasting that online spending from the November to December period will reach $32.4 billion, representing an 11% gain versus a year ago.

New York City -- A majority (88%) of consumers have gifts and presents still to purchase, and 79% are undecided about exactly what gifts to buy this year, according to the Holiday Shopping Index, an annual survey by StrategyOne, a Daniel J. Edelman strategic research and measurement consultancy firm.

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. reported a 27% gain in third-quarter profit, topping analysts’ estimates, as sales rose globally. The jewelry retailer raised its full-year earnings forecast.

Net income rose to $55.1 million, from $43.3 million in the year-ago period, better than analysts had expected.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters has launched a mobile gift-card program.

Atlanta -- For the first time ever, Home Depot will offer free shipping on 90,000 of the 100,000 items it offers online beginning on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, and running through Monday. Eligible items will be shipped for free via standard ground shipping.

"We know shipping is a large influence on where customers shop," said Hal Lawton, president of e-commerce and The Home Depot. "We made some improvements and changes to the site over the last year and we thought this would be a great way to attract new customers to site."