"What Would Jesus Buy?" is the eye-catching title of filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's amusing, entertaining and alarming 2007 documentary about America's rampant consumption, especially during Christmas. ...more

December 14, 2009

What would Jesus Buy? The initial reaction to that question should be: "Nothing!" ...more

December 14, 2009

For years, retailers could afford to be sloppy about running their businesses because customers kept buying. No more. Stung by the worry that shoppers - who cut spending by the most dramatic amount in at least 39 years this holiday season - may not start spending again for a long time, stores are making drastic changes. They are cutting out marginal suppliers, hiring outside experts to keep inventory lean, holding special events for those who are still buying and making extraordinary efforts to gauge customer satisfaction. ...more

January 19, 2009

As expected, shoppers packed the stores Friday cashing in their gift cards or swapping items they didn't need for something they wanted. ...more

December 27, 2008

Mornings and evenings, Allie, my retired racing greyhound, and I walk. It's a nice little neighborhood. The oaks are big enough now to shade the sidewalks and attract cadres of squirrels. Kids weave around the quiet streets on bikes and skateboards. Families like to picnic on the weekends in the park where the little ones can swing, and the older ones can play ball on the nearby diamond. ...more

September 14, 2008

The drills are about to begin. With his right hand, Zhang Ran hoists a yellow flag above his head, much like a sailor directing traffic on an aircraft carrier. ...more

December 7, 2007