Content about Christmas and holiday season

With the holiday season fast approaching, there has been a significant amount of press coverage regarding the role mobile devices will play in driving retail sales this season. The consensus is that mobile devices are changing the shopping landscape, and that the 2011 holiday season will be the tipping point — the year that consumers widely integrate mobile devices into their shopping routine.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart on Thursday officially released its Black Friday circular on its website and Facebook page to help families save money this holiday season, and will host shopping events as early as 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

NEW YORK — Despite concerns about the economy and rising household expenses, nearly 3-out-of-5 consumers (59%) will put aside economic worries and spend the same or more this holiday season, according to Deloitte’s 26th annual survey of holiday spending intentions and trends. While this is a slight decline from 2010, it represents an eight percentage point increase from 2009.

Candles become a key general merchandise category later in the year — 35% of candle sales in the United States occur during the fourth quarter. Fall decorating, Thanksgiving and holiday gift-giving drive sales, according to a representative from the National Candle Association.

Holiday candle sales have been strong even in a tight economy, since they are a relatively inexpensive indulgence. Traditional cinnamon, berry and evergreen are key scents for the holidays; vanilla is most popular year-round.

WASHINGTON — It looks like this year's holiday shoppers have a renewed focus on value and will comparison shop by utilizing smartphones, tablets and mobile applications to make purchasing decisions, according to the latest National Retail Federation survey.

LOS ANGELES — The state of the economy continues to impact consumers' holiday shopping decisions as many plan to spend less or the same this year.

According to a new survey of 3,070 U.S. online shopping consumers, conducted by PriceGrabber, 45% said that they plan to spend less this year, while 49% plan to spend the same, compared with 2010. Additionally, more than two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) said the economic climate will affect their overall spending, with many of them attributing their decision to an increase in prices for food, gas and other necessities.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — More than half of consumers plan to spend $500 or less this holiday season, according to Nielsen's fourth annual holiday shopping sales survey.

Polling 25,000 U.S. households, about 52% of respondents reported plans to spend $500 or less. To save money, 40% of consumers reported plans to use coupons, while 20% of consumers already have started shopping.

NEW YORK — More than a quarter of Americans expect to spend less during the holidays this year, according to a survey by American’s Research Group, Reuters reported.

About 27% of people surveyed said they planned to spend less this year, while about 55% expect to spend only as much as last year. The question was one of several exclusively asked for Reuters as part of a larger America's Research Group survey.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales, announced results for e-commerce sales for the 2010 holiday shopping season. During the period ranging from Oct. 31 to Dec. 24, consumers spent $36.4 billion online, a 15.4% increase compared with the same period in 2009, according to SpendingPulse estimates.

WASHINGTON — With just days left before the holiday shopping season draws to a close, the National Retail Federation has increased its forecast as the economic environment gives way to increased consumer spending.

MEMPHIS — Total sales and comparable-store sales both rose during the month of November for Fred's, the chain announced Tuesday.

Fred's disclosed total sales for the four-week fiscal month ended Nov. 27 increased 6% to $146.3 million from the year-ago period, while comparable-store sales for the month rose 4.7% versus a decline of 3.3% during November 2009.