holidays

The holidays weren't bad for small businesses, but it definitely could have been better.

Forget style, quality and customer service. This holiday season, all that matters is price.

Most than a quarter of Americans expect to spend less during the holidays this year, a survey showed on Monday in an early sign that retailers will have to try harder to win shoppers in the biggest selling season of the year.

Retailers are so dependent on holiday sales that January and February are often the best months for a shake-up.

Tesco, Britain's largest supermarket group, on Thursday reported disappointing sales in its home market over the holiday period, causing its shares to slump on the London stock exchange.

Shoppers came back in force for the holidays, right to the very end. After two dreary years, Christmas 2010 will go down as the moment when Americans rediscovered how much they like to shop.

Extended unemployment benefits for nearly 2 million Americans begin to run out Wednesday, cutting off a steady stream of income and guaranteeing a dismal holiday season for people already struggling with bills they cannot pay.

Expectations about "Black Friday," when shoppers traditionally get serious about the holidays, could sway stocks this week if it looks like the economy will get a pop.

Wal-Mart is going for the jugular in the holiday retailing war, announcing that it will offer free shipping on nearly 60,000 online items _ with no minimum purchase requirement.

In 2009, Google sponsored free wi-fi at 47 U.S. airports for the holidays. This year, Google is going further, sponsoring free in-flight wi-fi on certain carriers.