Filed under: Internet, Media World, TechnologyFacebook was busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Hitwise, but people weren't playing online games. It seems they were more focused on staying in touch and spreading the usual holiday cheer than tending to their farms, cafes and organized crime battles. Over the holidays, Facebook was the top Website visited in the U.S., Hitwise reported via its Twitter account. The Web metrics company tweeted the bold statement: "Facebook was the most visited site in the US on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 1st time the site has been the #1 visited US site ever."Continue reading Facebook Tops U.S. Internet Traffic on ChristmasFacebook Tops U.S. Internet Traffic on Christmas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

By Leah Schnurr

Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Wal-Mart (WMT), Target Corp. (TGT), Black Friday, Nintendo (NTDOY)The holidays have ended, and the real sales have begun. Those choosing to sacrifice sentimentality for savings found retailers only too willing to help, as prices were slashed in the wake of the Christmas rush. Recipients of gift cards stand to see their purchasing power extended, as well, now that redemption time has arrived, and retailers are looking to squeeze in any extra sales they can to pump up their top lines before the books close on the fiscal year, which, for many, comes at the end of January.Toys "R" Us has offered a deal on Nintendo (NTDOY) Wii games, with the second coming at half price, and Target (TGT) is nearly halving the price of wine glasses and dropping the tag on an argyle women's sweater by nearly a third. Walmart (WMT), which kicked off its cuts at the end of September, is throwing a $50 gift card on top of any Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox 360 buy.Continue reading After Christmas, Retailers Pick Up the PiecesAfter Christmas, Retailers Pick Up the Pieces originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Despite loss of weekend before Christmas, increased sales of electronics, footwear, jewelry - Holiday shoppers spent a little more this season, according to data released Monday, giving merchants some reason for cheer

Filed under: Wal-Mart (WMT), Target Corp. (TGT)Anxious to grab every last dollar they can out of holiday shoppers, retailers are pulling out all the stops. Especially given the snowstorm on the East Coast last week, they have to make up some ground, and time is running out. They lost the Saturday before Christmas, one of the busiest shopping days of the year -- and a favorite of people like me who wait until the last minute."Super Saturday," as it's called, was off close to 13% compared to last year, says research firm ShopperTrak. Only $6.9 billion came in, off $1 billion-year-over-year. And, let's not forget that 2008 was a drag. Its $7.9 billion performance was down from $8.7 billion in 2007.Continue reading With Christmas Looming, Retailers Make Up for Lost TimeWith Christmas Looming, Retailers Make Up for Lost Time originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya will spend Christmas with his family stuck inside the soldier-ringed Brazilian Embassy where he has been holed up for months after being toppled in a June coup

Filed under: Economic data, Federal ReserveFor retailers, it doesn't get bigger than the holiday season, but even a raving success may not be enough to push an uneasy economy on the road to recovery. Basically, the retail sector has to do well to keep people from worrying more, but we'll all have to wait a while for some economic bliss. According to an MSNBC report, gift sales aren't as powerful as many believe. So, here are five reasons why a great visit from Santa won't be enough to kick-start the economy:Continue reading Don't Put an Economic Recovery on Your Christmas ListDon't Put an Economic Recovery on Your Christmas List originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (Reuters) - Thousands of pilgrims and dignitaries crowded into Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity for a Christmas Mass, where Latin Patriarch Fuad al-Tuwal urged visitors to return home bearing a message of peace for the Holy Land

As retailers gear up for the busiest time of the year, what is the outlook for the sector and how are consumer trends changing? Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN Inc answers readers' questions on Monday, December 7

By Rhys Jones