Gift shopping

Bing Dwen Dwen, the Olympics mascot, makes an appearance during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Beijing punishes traders in Olympic souvenir crackdown

Feb. 11, 2022 06:55 AM EST

People queue with their parcels outside the post office at the Main Press Center at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

BEIJING SNAPSHOT: Closed loop has advantages — for shoppers

By Stephen Wade Feb. 11, 2022 04:37 AM EST

This image provided by Craftsman shows a 57-piece tool kit. If Dad discovered the joys of home improvement during the pandemic, Craftsman has a 57-piece tool kit with pliers, socket wrenches, screwdrivers and measuring tape in a sturdy case. (Craftsman via AP)

Father’s Day gifts that celebrate interests old and new

By Kim Cook Jun. 14, 2021 10:41 AM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 2, 2021 file photo, a pharmacy technician loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination site at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. On Friday, March 7 The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting that Pfizer admitted in its COVID-19 clinical trial protocol document that vaccinated people can “shed” the vaccine, emitting materials that can spread to unvaccinated people by inhalation or skin contact.(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

By The Associated Press May. 07, 2021 01:21 PM EDT

Governor proposes gift card program to boost business

May. 05, 2021 11:52 AM EDT
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee is working on a plan to boost the state's post-pandemic economy by distributing tens of thousands of $25...

This photo shows the Wireless Charging Wallet by Anina Net, a fast-charging wristlet compatible with both iOS and Android. Keep the handmade cards, bouquets or breakfasts in bed coming this Mother’s Day, but up your game in celebration of brighter days ahead with a store-bought gift. (Anina Net via AP)

Celebrate Mother's Day by upping your gift game this year

By Leanne Italie Apr. 28, 2021 08:40 AM EDT

Board games the standout star in Hasbro's 4th quarter

By Michelle Chapman Feb. 08, 2021 08:32 AM EST

A customer is shown at the exchanges and return counter in a Target department store early Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Glendale, Colo. Shoppers, who can't touch or feel products they're ordering, are expected to return items during the holiday season at a rate double from last year, costing retailers roughly $1.1 billion, according to Narvar Inc., a software and technology company that manages online returns for hundreds of brands. That puts retailers in a conundrum: they don't want the returns, but they also want to make shoppers feel comfortable to freely buy without worry. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Retailers brace for flood of returns from online shopping

By Anne D'innocenzio Dec. 24, 2020 12:24 PM EST

Shanita Matthews pauses as she speaks in her home, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Suwanee, Ga. Matthews had to close her wedding business because of the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

'We are struggling': A bleak Christmas for America's jobless

By Joseph Pisani And Christopher Rugaber Dec. 24, 2020 07:39 AM EST

This Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 photo provided by Dan Marshall shows the Mischief Toy Store, which he co-owns, in St. Paul, Minn. While the coronavirus outbreak is giving Marshall his most challenging holiday season in over 20 years in business, his priority is keeping everyone _ customers and all the workers in his family-run business _ safe. (Dan Marshall via AP)

Safety a higher priority than sales for many small retailers

By Joyce M. Rosenberg Dec. 23, 2020 01:41 PM EST

A parking lot nearly empty of the cars of holiday shoppers is shown at the Mall of New Hampshire, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Manchester, N.H. Retail sales fell 1.1% in November, the biggest drop in seven months, a sign that Americans held back on spending during the start of the holiday shopping season. The U.S. Commerce Department also revised October’s number, saying on Wednesday that retail sales actually fell 0.1% that month, instead of rising 0.3% as it previously reported. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Retail sales fell 1.1% in November, biggest drop in 7 months

By Joseph Pisani Dec. 16, 2020 08:56 AM EST

This undated photo provided by Apple shows pair of AirPods Max, Apple's newest wireless headphones. Apple is rolling out the latest product for the holiday shopping season, that will test how much people are willing to splurge on for high-quality sound. (Apple via AP)

Apple unveils headphones that cost twice as much as AirPods

By Michael Liedtke Dec. 08, 2020 02:13 PM EST

Illinois Editorial Roundup:

By The Associated Press Dec. 01, 2020 10:11 PM EST
November 30, 2020 Chicago Tribune Enough excuses. Get to work General Assembly When the coronavirus...

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 file photo, Salvation Army bell ringer Ivory Carter Sr. rings a bell to raise funds for The Salvation Army outside the Market Street store on 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas. Dec. 1 is Giving Tuesday, a day earmarked for generosity during the holiday season. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to donate money this year, there are plenty of causes that need attention. Causes can be supported both through monetary gifts and donations of your time. (Jacob Ford/Odessa American via AP, File)

Millennial Money: Be effective with your generosity in 2020

By Amrita Jayakumar Of Nerdwallet Dec. 01, 2020 06:01 AM EST

Virus news: Businesses see holiday shopping challenges

Nov. 28, 2020 01:04 PM EST
A look at coronavirus developments around New England: ___ CONNECTICUT The marketing director of a...

In this Nov. 12, 2020, photo provided by Bonnie Matthews, Chip Matthews, 6, hands postal worker, Tawanna Purter, a thank you card for the unexpected birthday gift she gave him a week earlier in Opelika, Ala. Matthews loves to get the mail, and on his birthday, Purter delivered his presents along with $2 from her own pocket. (Bonnie Matthews via AP)

Alabama mail carrier surprises birthday boy with a gift

By Luis Andres Henao Nov. 26, 2020 10:09 AM EST

A KidiZoom Creator Cam by VTech is displayed at the Toy Fair, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in New York. The digital camera comes with a green screen and animated backgrounds allowing kids to go to outer space, get chased by T-Rex, or make things disappear. The camera comes with a tabletop tripod, which can also be used as a selfie stick. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Holiday trends to watch: Adult Play-Doh; stores that ship

By Joseph Pisani And Anne D’innocenzio Nov. 26, 2020 10:06 AM EST

Lamont: $10,000 fines on businesses that break virus rules

By Dave Collins Nov. 25, 2020 10:44 AM EST
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A few flagrant violations of Connecticut's coronavirus rules and concerns about the holiday shopping season have prompted Gov. Ned...

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts from recent Minnesota editorials

By The Associated Press Nov. 24, 2020 04:59 PM EST
Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Nov. 22 St. Paul's new commission can make a difference In the ongoing debate about law...

A shop keeper at a gift shop along 34th Street stands on the sidewalk waiting for customers, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in New York. In souvenir shops from Times Square to the World Trade Center, shelves full of T-shirts and trinkets still love New York, as the slogan goes. But the proprietors wonder when their customers will, again. The coronavirus has altered many aspects of life and business in the United States' biggest city, and the pandemic is taking a major toll on the gifts-and-luggage stores that dot tourist-friendly areas. After setting records year after year since 2010, travel to New York has plummeted during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Tourists few, NY gift shops struggle but don't lose (heart)

By Jennifer Peltz Nov. 23, 2020 07:08 AM EST