Usually, U.S. retailers earn 20-80% of their entire yearly gross during the holiday season. But this year, things are different. The sluggish US economy has prompted Deloitte Research’s Carl Steidtmann to fear “the worst Christmas ever” in the retail sector.

Short of going door to door in a Santa suit, how can businesses increase profits and prevent a blue Christmas?

Where are you getting your advise for that new camera that you’re going to buy?  Chances are that your greatest influence won’t be from a family member or even a close friend, but from someone you don’t even know.