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‘Shop Early’: US Christmas Trees Supplies Tight, Prices Up | December 13, 2019

By JOHN RABY Associated PressCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Customers searching for the perfect Christmas tree typically glance at Sandy Parsons’ limited offerings, then keep walking. Parsons never got her order for 350 trees from a North Carolina farm. Supplies were short, she was told. Instead, she was shipped some smaller ones for her lot at […]

By JOHN RABY Associated PressCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Customers searching for the perfect Christmas tree typically glance at Sandy Parsons’ limited offerings, then keep walking. Parsons never got her order for 350 trees from a North Carolina farm. Supplies were short, she was told. Instead, she was shipped some smaller...

Indie Booksellers Persevere Despite Amazon, Rising Costs | December 12, 2019

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG AP Business WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Pete Mulvihill has felt optimistic enough about selling books that he bought a third bookstore within the past two months. “The industry is much better than it was — the last four to five years have been pretty healthy,” says Mulvihill, who owns three Green […]

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG AP Business WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Pete Mulvihill has felt optimistic enough about selling books that he bought a third bookstore within the past two months. "The industry is much better than it was — the last four to five years have been pretty healthy," says...

Online Shoppers Boost Small Business Saturday Sales | December 2, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shoppers, many of them using smartphones, spent $3.6 billion buying online from small businesses on Saturday. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online sales, says that’s up 18% from a year earlier. Adobe reports that holiday season sales are on track to grow 14.9% from 2018. Small businesses garnered $68.2 billion in online […]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shoppers, many of them using smartphones, spent $3.6 billion buying online from small businesses on Saturday. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online sales, says that's up 18% from a year earlier. Adobe reports that holiday season sales are on track to grow 14.9% from 2018. Small businesses...

To Compete with Chains, Boardman Shops Sell Service | November 28, 2019

BOARDMAN, Ohio – During an impromptu visit to Mr. Perfume in Boardman, a young couple went from window-shoppers to life-long customers in a matter of minutes. For owner Ned Sedar, it was business as usual. The couple stopped in to inquire about a perfume the wife enjoyed. Sedar, after listening politely, told her, “That bottle […]

BOARDMAN, Ohio – During an impromptu visit to Mr. Perfume in Boardman, a young couple went from window-shoppers to life-long customers in a matter of minutes. For owner Ned Sedar, it was business as usual. The couple stopped in to inquire about a perfume the wife enjoyed. Sedar, after listening...

Restaurants Put Gift Cards on the Menu | November 27, 2019

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A restaurant gift card can be the perfect holiday present. It’s an easy but personal way to treat a friend, family member or co-worker. On the other side of the transaction, those little plastic cards bring rewards to restaurateurs, and not just as guaranteed revenue. As a marketing tool, it can be like […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A restaurant gift card can be the perfect holiday present. It’s an easy but personal way to treat a friend, family member or co-worker. On the other side of the transaction, those little plastic cards bring rewards to restaurateurs, and not just as guaranteed revenue. As a marketing...

Small Shops, Unusual Items in Columbiana | November 27, 2019

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – There are many reasons why people decide to shop locally, and business owners in the city of Columbiana offer their own.  Finding remarkable items, enjoying hands-on and personable service and creating relationships with the people in the community are what shoppers experience in Columbiana, they say. And it makes good economic sense.  […]

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – There are many reasons why people decide to shop locally, and business owners in the city of Columbiana offer their own.  Finding remarkable items, enjoying hands-on and personable service and creating relationships with the people in the community are what shoppers experience in Columbiana, they say. And...

E-Commerce Challenges, Boosts Retail in Volant | November 26, 2019

By Jeremy LydicVOLANT, Pa. -- For 22 years, Amanda Stanek has worked at The Kitchen Shoppe here, assuming ownership of the shop 16 years ago. In its history, the shop has gone through “the ebb and flow” of the small town and today, Stanek is “really excited for the future,”...

Sharon Showcases Small Business Saturday | November 25, 2019

By George NelsonSHARON, Pa. -- Courtney Davis, sales manager at Hampton Inn and Suites in West Middlesex, Pa., is in her third year participating in the combined annual observation of Small Business Saturday and the kickoff of the holiday season in Sharon.  Laura Ackley, who headed up the event in...

#MeToo Drives Coverage for Employment Practices | November 23, 2019

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Employment-practices insurance policies, which provide coverage for companies that face claims from current or past employees who assert they are victims of some kind of discrimination, are among the top plans local employers are inquiring about, insurance carriers report. Such policies cover companies “in case somebody sues you for unfair hiring practices, […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Employment-practices insurance policies, which provide coverage for companies that face claims from current or past employees who assert they are victims of some kind of discrimination, are among the top plans local employers are inquiring about, insurance carriers report. Such policies cover companies “in case somebody sues...

Tesla Edges Into Pickup Truck Market with Cybertruck | November 22, 2019

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSTesla CEO Elon Musk is taking on the workhorse heavy pickup truck market with his latest electric vehicle. The “cybertruck,” an electric pickup truck, will be in production in 2021, Musk said at the Los Angeles Auto Show Thursday. The pickup, which Musk said will cost $39,900 and up, will have an […]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSTesla CEO Elon Musk is taking on the workhorse heavy pickup truck market with his latest electric vehicle. The “cybertruck,” an electric pickup truck, will be in production in 2021, Musk said at the Los Angeles Auto Show Thursday. The pickup, which Musk said will cost $39,900...