Pricing

There's been a great deal of talk about the resurgence of consumer spending, and for good reason. Many retailers and organizations went on record to declare this past holiday season the best ever. That doesn't happen unless individuals are feeling more comfortable about their income prospects in 2011.

Price optimization offers Family Dollar a "substantial opportunity," according to Chairman and CEO Howard Levine, with the discount retailing giant seeking improvements in the areas of promotions, everyday pricing and possibly in clearance markdowns. Family Dollar is in a growth mode: its average inventory per store has risen 8 percent compared to last year, and the retailer plans to add approximately 300 new stores and renovate another 600 sites in 2011. Learn more about the chain's wide-ranging commitment to using solutions that increase productivity and boost customer service.

Michigan retailers took aim at the state's strict item-pricing law, releasing a study that concludes the regulation adds $2.2 billion to retail costs without providing tangible benefits to consumers.

Amazon is working on a solution that could revolutionize digital gift buying. The online retailer has quietly patented a way for people to return gifts before they receive them, and the patent documents even mention poor Aunt Mildred.

Jewelry lovers in Oregon have an extra incentive to cheer for the Ducks during the January 10, 2011 Bowl Championship Series game. The Oregon-based jeweler will offer a percentage off regular priced jewelry on January 11 that's equal to the amount of points the Oregon Ducks win by, up to 50 percent off. For example, if the Ducks win over Auburn by 20 points, then 20 percent off on Jan 11. "Although now you can find Fred Meyer Jewelers in 36 states nationwide, we're still very much an Oregon company," said Kirsten Darrow of Fred Meyer Jewelers.

PriceGrabber conducted a Black Friday Shopping survey between September and October of this year. The survey data, consisting of 1,839 U.S. online consumers planning to spend this holiday season, reveals that holiday shoppers perceive that retailers offer their best deals during Thanksgiving weekend.

While Walmart and Target fight over toys, retail consultant Howard Davidowitz says the outcome of their battle will be decided in the electronics section, not the toy aisle. Christmas creep gets dialed back a notch — most retailers waited until now to begin their holiday push in earnest. And one of the few economic reports of the week takes the consumers' pulse. Listen to MarketWatch News Break.

While Wal-Mart and Target fight over toys, retail consultant Howard Davidowitz says the outcome of their battle will be decided in the electronics section, not the toy aisle.

According to results of Shop.org's eHoliday Study conducted by BIGresearch, 84.8% of online retailers will offer free shipping at some point during the holiday season, and 31.4% said these offers will begin earlier this year than a year ago. Shoppers may even see more free shipping deals this year, as 36.7% of retailers said their budget for free shipping is higher than last holiday season.