Small Businesses Adapt to Holiday Shopping Trends

As the holiday shopping season unfolds, small businesses in the U.S. are seeing varied sales patterns, with some experiencing strong demand for cozy items like scarves and sweaters, while others face erratic customer behaviors. The National Retail Federation expects a modest retail sales increase of 2.5% to 3.5% this season, with online shopping anticipated to grow by 8.4%. Meanwhile, cybercrime is rising, particularly through spoof websites targeting online shoppers, leading experts to urge caution and vigilance during the busy shopping period. In the UK, police are intensifying efforts to combat a 37% rise in shoplifting, emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents to address the issue effectively. Additionally, Australian supermarkets Woolworths and Coles are navigating a challenging landscape marked by allegations of price-gouging and misleading discounts, which complicates their Christmas marketing campaigns. These developments reflect broader themes of consumer behavior, security, and corporate responsibility during the holiday season.