Don’t look to Baby Boomers to lead the way in consumer spending in the months ahead. A new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Retail Forward, owned by Kantar Retail, says that this recovery — unlike those in last few decades — will be shaped by the values of tech-loving Gen Y, and to a lesser degree, affluent members of Gen X.

Lure of a global marketplace has craftspeople competing for shoppers through such sites as Etsy.com, Artfire.com and 1000 Markets.

Imagine getting a promotion and being publicly praised by the boss for your hard work. On the way home, do you buy a fancy watch or comfy couch?

Adidas and the National Basketball Association are hitting the malls. Adidas, which is the league’s official uniform provider, has inked a deal with the NBA and mall-based retailer Champs Sports for an “Official NBA Shop at Champs Sports.” The NBA Shop will debut in 69 Champs Sports stores this month and will be in the remaining 486 Champs Sports stores nationwide by the start of the 2010-11 NBA season, per the companies.

Retail sales rose in January as consumers bought more electronics and appliances, but a separate consumer-sentiment index fell in February, highlighting the mixed signals coming from the economy.

If you want to make your sweetheart fall in love with you all over again (or for the first time), you have to find them the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. The perfect gift should be thoughtful and exciting, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Christine Carter, owner of Epps Consulting did all of the dirty work for you! She found some of the most creative gifts on the planet!

In the long run, the record snowfall that has assailed the Washington region will go down as a mere blip in an economic landscape dominated by the recession, the experts say. But that is cold comfort to many local businesses forced to shut down and dig out over the weekend just as they hoped to turn the corner toward recovery.

Love is less in the air for couples this Valentine’s day, as many curb spending on each other, and instead open their wallets for family, friends, co-workers and even pets, a survey said today.

The National Retail Federation released its 2010 economic forecast today, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 2.5 percent from last year.

Haiti’s devastating earthquake has crippled the country’s garment industry, a growing source of jobs and exports and a vital link in trade with South Florida.

JoS. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. announced that the company will be expanding into the tuxedo rental business.

The new year will bring a mix of the familiar (Forever 21 and home shopping networks) and the new (Brazil-mania and Alice in Wonderland tie-ins).

Holiday retail sales might have staved off a visit from the Grinch thanks in part to social media.

What are the state laws when it comes to returning merchandise? Find out right here as Christine Carter speaks with Megan of ABC2News on Good Morning Maryland.

A massive snowstorm slammed much of the eastern U.S., chilling but not dashing retailers’ hopes for strong sales in the final days before Christmas.

Alert the followers of Emily Post. And tell other authors of famous etiquette books that it’s time to update some of the rules: Including a sales receipt with a holiday gift is no longer as gauche as eating your salad with the wrong fork or ordering a blush zinfandel at dinner.

Online sales in the U.S. rose 16 percent today from a year ago as consumers hunted for bargains on Cyber Monday, according to online marketing firm Coremetrics.

Quirky, distinctive local stores always need to stay nimble to survive and thrive in the very competitive world of retail. This year, they face two additional big challenges posed by the recession. One is that shoppers will spend less this holiday season, and the other is that conditions for many are so dire that more people will shop at big-chain discounters.

Consumers will face an onslaught of elves and jolly snowmen in the coming weeks, as companies such as Target, Wal-Mart Stores and Gap boost their holiday advertising spending beyond last year’s levels.

We’re scheduling our television appearances for November and December 2009, and we need your help! Be on TV!