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It's safe to say that we all know mommyhood changes shopping behavior. For many moms, one change is that it seems to take all the fun out of shopping. Before they have kids, women described shopping as "relaxed," "impulsive," and "social." Being out with their friends is fun. That all changes when their shopping companion no longer pushes a cart, but rides in one.

Amazon has unveiled an augmented reality iPhone app that allows you to discover information about everyday products around you. Flow powered by Amazon lets you use your camera to find, review and buy items within the application.

A second wave of activism sparked by Occupy Wall Street is here. As supporters move to raise money to help the movement through the winter, others are boycotting businesses perceived to show sympathy — or not.

A new online marketplace called Monkey N Middle offers retailers a place to shop for apparel, accessories and footwear from wholesalers. The site, which is free for retailers, aims to appeal to small- and medium-sized merchants.

The days of tax-free internet shopping may soon be coming to an abrupt end. Two Republican senators are preparing to introduce new legislation that would allow states to force Amazon.com and other out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax said Friday that its executive VP and chief merchandising office Ryan Vero has resigned, effective Dec. 2. Michael Lewis, executive VP and president of retail, will continue to provide oversight to the marketing and merchandising teams, according to OfficeMax. OfficeMax said it is initiating a search for a chief merchandising officer immediately.

Sens. Ron Wyden and Kelly Ayotte proposed a resolution this week that seeks to exempt small businesses from upcoming bills that would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales tax from in-state customers. Also on Wednesday, 126 national and state retail groups, including NRF, sent a letter urging the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to include online sales tax in its final package.

What we see as brand loyalty is actually more the effects of comfort and laziness than anything else. Furthermore, we'll defend that comfort to the death. This results in some bad buying decisions, which is especially bad come holiday shopping season.

Starbucks, which laid off 39,000 employees over the two years ending last fall, is about to start hiring again. By year’s end, Starbucks will have a new barista battalion, some 3,500 strong, pulling on their aprons and dealing with steam burns. Next year will see 200 new Starbucks added to the nearly 11,000 existing ones. Those will need to be staffed up while 1,700 other Starbucks go through job-creation remodeling.