MARKETING

It might be more expensive, but sometimes it really pays to buy name-brand.

As shoppers scramble to find last minute gifts, many consumers have rushed to stores to return items that they already find too big, too small, the wrong color or the wrong gift. Here are the five worst Christmas gift ideas and the most often returned items: clothing, home items, beauty products, electronics, and jewelry or watches top the list.

With six days until Christmas, the U.S. holiday shopping season is better than expected, with discounts deep enough to bring in shoppers who are searching for bargains but not showing the desperation seen in the recession.

Discounts and mild weather are bringing out shoppers at a better-than-expected pace this holiday season, with department stores like Macy's Inc doing well and women's apparel retailers feeling pressure.

Developed by Detroit-based Marxent Labs, the app is available for a free download from Android and iPhone app stores on iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

A top British sprinter desperate to run in his home London Olympics next year has raised 32,550 pounds ($50,500) in sponsorship by auctioning himself on eBay.

More than 2,500 merchants hope to take advantage of last minute consumers by participating in Free Shipping Day Friday with the promise of delivery by Christmas Eve. To shop, find deals and explore merchants participating in Free Shipping Day, go to FreeShippingDay.com.

Glam Media, the women's lifestyle online publishing and advertising company, is close to selecting bankers to lead an initial stock offering slated for 2012, according to people familiar with the matter.

Overall U.S. foreclosure activity fell in November compared to the previous month, but auctions hit a nine-month high, according to RealtyTrac.

Amazon.com Inc shares dropped to levels not seen since March Wednesday on concern that big spending and aggressive pricing by the No. 1 Internet retailer will hit profit during the crucial holiday season and well into next year.

Wal-Mart shoppers witnessed Lilia Blandin being stabbed to death by her husband in the middle the store on Saturday. Wal-Mart refused

Facebook has been battling with hacking and spam-related issues for the last one month. The number of Facebook users who are falling prey to the unwanted Trojan spamware and sexual and violent content are increasing day by day.

Avon Products Inc on Tuesday said that it was replacing Andrea Jung as chief executive, a move that comes as the cosmetics company tries to recover from a myriad of problems, including a federal bribery probe and weak sales in key international markets.

Amazon.com Inc said it has extended the order deadline on one of its Christmas shipping options as it seeks to stay competitive in a holiday season that has seen more retailers offer free shipping.

A Superlot comprising 55 bottles of 1952 vintage wine from DRC Romanee Conti was sold at a staggering price of $813,333 to a Chinese collector thereby setting new auction records.

On a recent morning inside a crowded town hall, auctioneer Jeffrey Obrecht sold off a sliver of western Iowa farmland barely wider than a football field.

The Amazon Price Check app seems simple enough. Shoppers use the app, introduced earlier in 2011, to compare the retail giant's prices with other retailers. They scan a barcode, snap a picture, say the product name or type the search.

Shares of Coinstar Inc jumped 11 percent after media reports that the kiosk maker's Redbox rental service is partnering with Verizon Communications for a new online streaming service.

The contract that established Apple as a corporate entity in 1976 and another document, signed 11 days later, that removed one of the partners are expected to fetch up to $150,000 when they are auctioned next week by Sotheby's.

The contract that established Apple as a corporate entity in 1976 and another document, signed 11 days later, that removed one of the partners are expected to fetch up to $150,000 when they are auctioned next week by Sotheby's.

Daily deals site LivingSocial is raising a targeted $400 million in a private offering of which over $176 million of that amount has already been raised, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.