Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

NEW YORK - Online retailing is expected to fare only about as well or as poorly as the retail economy as a whole during the Christmas season, The New York Times reported today. That stands in contrast to a steady growth since 1998, when online sales kept surging despite less favorable economic trends or even normal seasonal patterns.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 - The September 11 terrorist attacks have resulted in a number of changes in the life of the average American, according to a new poll. People are planning to scale back their holiday spending, reaching for more snack foods, and booking more quality time with family.

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats are asking for more than $700 million to hire hundreds of new inspectors and take other measures to protect farms and food from terrorist attack, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department reported today that consumer spending dropped by 1.8 percent in September, following a modest 0.3 percent gain in August. This is the largest drop in more than 14 years, The Associated Press reported.

NEW YORK - CVS Corp. today said it plans to cut staff and close about 200 of its drugstores in the first quarter. The news came with its report of a 16 percent drop in third-quarter earnings.

TORONTO - Greenpeace Canada led a demonstration on Monday at a Loblaw Cos. superstore for failing to support mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods.

Retailers are continuing to spend money on store design even in these uncertain economic times, according to the results of the 12th Annual Store Fixture survey conducted by Display & Design Ideas (DDI) Magazine with cooperation from the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM).

Britain's Safeway Plc reported strong second quarter sales on Thursday with like-for-like sales rising 5.4 percent, keeping the country's fourth biggest food retailer in the running among its top competitors.