Holiday sales increased 5% over last year, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse report, marking the largest year-over-year increase since 2011. Christian Magoon, CEO of Amplify, and Melissa Gonzalez, CEO and Founder of Lion'esque Group, join The Long and The Short to recap retail in 2017 and make predictions for 2018.
According to the Mastercard survey, aggressive promotions early in the holiday season were the main driver for the uptick in retail sales. As for the specific categories that saw growth: sales of electronics and appliances increased by 7.5%, and home furnishings and improvement sales jumped 5%. However, women's apparel was negative over the entire year.
Magoon believes mobile commerce is growing by leaps and bounds, which is a direct result of retail sales going up. This is a white-hot growth opportunity for retailers, as smart devices, faster internet, and more trusted mobile payment technology push mobile sales above desktop or foot-traffic. Gonzalez says that retail stores need to start offering perks to their shoppers to get them in the store. Additionally, aggressive discounts were a main driver this year.
Vivian Barna, founder and president of All About Rabbits Rescue, Inc, explains what it takes to have a pet rabbit and encourages rabbit adoption.
Chef Danielle Sepsy shares tips on how to set a beautiful Easter table.
Lucasfilm announced Friday three new live-action films in the franchise at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023. One of the films will feature the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey.
How Women Ascended to the Forefront of Fitness Training
A Florida family on temporary hard times after a father underwent major surgery. After things picked up, the mother surprised their sons with a new home after living with friends and a hotel.
Cheddar recommends "Beef," "My Name Is Mo'Nique," "Wellmania," "Schmigadoon," "The Last Temptation of Christ," and the podcast "The Toast."
The top entertainment headlines for April 6, 2023.
A Virginia fifth grader has made headlines for spotting an error in his science textbook. He noticed an igneous rock and a sedimentary rock had been labeled incorrectly and told his teacher who then helped get the message to the publisher, Five Ponds Press. The publisher reportedly sent a handwritten letter thanking the fifth grader for catching the error.
A two-year-toddler showed up with gifts in hand at the hospital to meet his new baby brother.
King Charles III’s wife has been officially identified as Queen Camilla for the first time, with Buckingham Palace using the title on invitations for the monarch’s May 6 coronation.
