The old practice of bartering is coming back in style. Although people aren’t exactly trading milk and eggs for other goods and services, they are actually taking up the old practice due to economic difficulties.

The California Institute of Technology recently conducted a study that looked at how consumers respond to products and, primarily, the presentation of the products. Interestingly, the study found that consumers would actually pay more for items they could touch.

The process of making a purchase is mentally draining for most consumers. For this reason, businesses should make it as easy as possible. However, so many businesses provide too much information, which could turn the potential buyer away. It is natural to want to include every feature, but is it really helpful?

When customers yell at you, it’s hard to keep your cool and respond graciously. According to psychologists, the reason for this behavior is the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE). It occurs when people attribute responsibility for behavior to a person as opposed to a situation.

How do your employees react when a customer enters your business? The level to which your employees engage with customers is the second most powerful factor in winning over the competition’s business. Employee engagement is so effective that it could actually bring in those extra sells you need this holiday season.

As the economy is once again influencing the holiday shopping season, both consumers and retailers are looking to see how they can come out ahead. To give you a better understanding of the situation, Reporter Abby Johnson continues to explain the top 10 trends in this video report, as compiled by Phil Rist of BIGresearch and Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation. Watch this SmallBusinessNewz report for complete explanations for these trends.