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The promise of convenience and cost savings online will bring more consumers than ever to shop on the web for the holidays, spending a greater share of their gift budget there than they have in previous years, according to a new forecast by eMarketer.

2011 was the kind of year that tests leaders. So when Fortune set out to pick a Businessperson of the Year (and 49 runners-up), great stories were easy to find.

Walgreens is bringing mobile couponing and exclusive offers to smartphone users starting on Black Friday as it launches a mobile coupon program at more than 7,700 stores across the country. The scannable coupons, which range in value from 50 cents to $5, are being added to its mobile apps, giving customers money off products including beauty items, gifts, consumables and everyday essentials.

A set of talking dolls aimed at children have caused controversy because of their potty mouths. The You & Me Interactive Play and Giggle Triplet Dolls giggle and burp like real babies, but parents are concerned because they also appear to say the ‘F’ word and the unsavoury greeting ‘Hey crazy b****’. The pajama-clad dolls , which are recommended for children aged three and up, are sold by Toys"R"Us in Canada and the U.S. as well as a number of online retailers like Amazon.

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN)Leisure Trends Group reported that October outdoor retail sales rose 14 percent compared with the same month last year, totaling about $426 million, according to preliminary data. Keeping pace with Septembers record sales, which totaled $462 million, outdoor stores posted the largest October dollar volume since Leisure Trends began tracking outdoor sales in 1998. All channels contributed to the months overall growth as chain, specialty and online sales all saw their best October on record. Outdoor chain rose 16 percent to $145 million; outdoor online increased 14 percent to $113 million; and outdoor specialty gained 11 percent

( TrendHunter.com ) Although an eBay pop-up shop has already had a presence in New York City, the online auction giant hasn't yet opened a physical space in the United Kingdom. At the beginning of December, however, this...

Washington, D.C. -- The NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation, has announced the top 10 retailers for excellent customer service selected by shoppers in the seventh annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers’ Choice survey. The survey, which asked 9,374 shoppers which retailer provides the best customer service, was conducted by BIGresearch. According to shoppers, the ten finalists for customer service, in alphabetical order, are: Amazon.com J.C. Penney Kohl’s Department Stores Lands’ End L.L.Bean Newegg Nordstrom Overstock.com QVC Zappos The official ranking of each retailer in the top ten will be unveiled at NRF’s Annual

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. reported Friday that its third-quarter profit jumped 27% to $16 million, from $12.6 million in the year-ago period. Sales rose 11% to $185.2 million from $167.4 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $180 million in revenue. Same-store sales rose 7%.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The Occupy Wall Street protesters have set their sites on a new issue -- Black Friday. The group that is credited with heading up the Occupy Wall Street movement has launched a Web site StopBlackFriday.com. The goal is to "occupy large chains and publicly traded retail. Hit the 1% where it hurts -- in the wallet." Just as Occupy Wall Street protesters attempted to bring the New York Stock Exchange to a grinding halt this week, they plan to do the same thing to the economy. Click here to view Holiday Coverage on TheStreet

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday that its loss widened in the third quarter on softness in its Canada division and on weaker consumer electronics sales. The operator of Sears and Kmart recorded a loss of $421 million in the quarter ended Oct. 29, compared with a loss of $218 million a year earlier. Revenue slipped 1% to $9.57 billion from $9.68 billion, missing the $9.63 billion expected by Wall Street, and marking the fourth straight quarter of revenue declines. Same-store sales at Sears stores dipped 0.7% and fell 0.9% at Kmart stores. Sears stores were