2007 Holiday Shopping Season

Now that the holiday season is over, we will find out how the shopping season treated retailers. Big retail chains are reporting the slowest holiday spending season in five years. Experts say high gas prices, a slumping housing market and rising food prices have caused many shoppers to hold back in their holiday spending this year.




Retailers are also counting on gift cards as a way to boost sales. Gift cards have made the after-Christmas season more important than ever when it comes to profits since gift cards only go on the books once they're redeemed.

Retailers' final numbers for the holiday shopping season will be released January 10.