Amazon: Stay in Cash Until Next Rally Phase

For a long time, it seemed Canadians were pretty indifferent to shopping on the Internet. But more-robust-than-expected online sales on both Black Friday and so-called Cyber Monday, coupled with strong sales on Canadian retail websites and a slew of new entrants, suggest that has changed.

NEW YORK — Target Corp. is pledging to match prices of select online rivals year-round, a move that underscores how physical and online retailing are being meshed together. Matching online prices is rare but expected to become more common as shoppers move increasingly online. Target, the nation’s second largest discounter behind Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said it will match prices that customers find on identical products at top online retailers, all the time. The online list includes Amazon.com as well as the websites of Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Toys R Us and Babies R Us.

NEW YORK — Target Corp. is pledging to match prices of select online rivals year-round, a move that underscores how physical and online retailing are being meshed together. Matching online prices is rare but expected to become more common as shoppers move increasingly online. Target, the nation’s second largest discounter behind Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said it will match prices that customers find on identical products at top online retailers, all the time. The online list includes Amazon.com as well as the websites of Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Toys R Us and Babies R Us.

Question: The monthly job reports are usually accompanied by a statement that we need lots of new jobs just to keep up with population growth.

Question: The monthly job reports are usually accompanied by a statement that we need lots of new jobs just to keep up with population growth.

The Great Recession may have delayed the plans of many recent college graduates. But the "Echo Boom" generation — the sons and daughters of Baby Boomers — are too numerous to be kept down. There are 80 million of them, and they're out to save the American economy.

What did the 2012 holidays teach us about the current state of shoppers—and, of course, the places where they shop? Here are 10 notable trends. The Expansion of Black Friday—and the Entire Season Even though it has caused a backlash among certain consumers, retailers have concluded that the formula for increasing seasonal sales totals is mostly based on increasing holiday promotions, deals, and store hours—hours that now include Thanksgiving night. Not only is it standard for stores to open by 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

What did the 2012 holidays teach us about the current state of shoppers—and, of course, the places where they shop? Here are 10 notable trends. The Expansion of Black Friday—and the Entire Season Even though it has caused a backlash among certain consumers, retailers have concluded that the formula for increasing seasonal sales totals is mostly based on increasing holiday promotions, deals, and store hours—hours that now include Thanksgiving night. Not only is it standard for stores to open by 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.