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While mass retailers got a lift from a late-season holiday sales surge, consumer confidence waned in December, according to a major economic benchmark. consumer confidence, Consumer Confidence Index, The Conference Board, Lynn Franco, state of the economy, mass retailers, holiday sales

comScore reported last week holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 56 days of the November – December 2010 holiday season. By Dec. 29, $30.81 billion had been spent online during the period, marking a 13 percent increase vs. the corresponding days last year. The week ending Dec. 26 witnessed $2.45 billion in spending, an increase of 17 percent vs. the corresponding week last year.

Some major retailers are making it easier to return holiday gifts, after years of tightening policies and generating complaints from consumers.

Kleinfeld, the bridal shop, was the same way. Ten years ago, I was contacted by Ronnie Rothstein, an old friend, whose wife, Mara, had been retained to consult on dressing up the company for a sale. We put together a syndicate of friends and relatives and bought the business. It took us three years to turn the company around, after which we decided to move it from Brooklyn to Manhattan. We've increased the business from about $6 million a year in revenue to over $30 million today.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. ? The company said Monday the store openings will be in 35 states it currently operates in as well as in three new states: Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire. It also plans to remodel or relocate 550 stores. Dollar General, based in Goodlettsville, Tenn., currently operates 9,200 stores and employs 88,000 staffers. Its stores have gained market share from competitors such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as consumers count pennies because of high unemployment and the uncertain economy. In December Dollar General said its third-quarter net income rose 69 percent, helped by cost cuts and higher revenue, and

DALLAS, Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tandy Brands Accessories, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBAC) announced that effective today M. C. (Craig) Mackey, Chief Financial Officer, has resigned from the Company to pursue other opportunities. "Craig has been a key partner for me and a valuable part of the executive team during the past two years as we've been orchestrating the turnaround of Tandy Brands," said Rod McGeachy, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We wish him the best in his future endeavors, and I thank him for his many contributions." Robert D. Martin has been appointed to serve as interim chief

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service here said last week it will more than double the number of store locations for its tax preparation services at more than 2,000 Wal-Mart stores in the United States during the 2011 tax season.

CVS Caremark said Friday that it agreed to buy the Medicare Part D business of Universal American , a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan sponsor based in Rye Brook, N.Y., for about $1.25 billion.  After payment of other transaction related expenses, Universal American shareholders are expected to receive approximately $12.80 a share to $13 a share, the companies said.  The acquisition will more than double the size of CVS Caremark's Medicare Part D program, the Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS said, adding that the transaction will add to per-share profit in its first full year.

Want a 9-foot Giraffe from FAO Schwarz? You could visit one of their retail locations - including its famous flagship store in Manhattan - or you could shop online on FAO.com. And now, you also have the option of shopping for that stuffed toy giraffe on FAO Schwarz' new eBay Store. It may be hard to believe, but the exclusive toy retailer that has been in operation since 1862 is selling its high-end wares on eBay alongside used Beanie Babies and hard-to-find vintage toys. You can find the same Radio Flyer Retro Rocket listed on the FAO website for