A report released Monday by MasterCard Advisors said that retail sales through the second week of December generally continued November’s momentum, with several sectors recording moderate to strong gains.

Flirt! Cosmetics, which is available exclusively at Kohl's, has teamed up with "Glee" star Heather Morris, who will be the new celebrity style ambassador in support of the brand's spring 2011 product collection.

No matter what the politicians in Washington are saying, the United States is married to China. And, this relationship has been nearly 40 years in the making. Ever since Nixon visited China, the United States has become more and more reliant upon low-cost Chinese goods. Indeed, according to The United States Trade Representative, the United States imported nearly $300 billion worth of goods from China in 2009 alone. To the extent an economic recovery in the United States depends on consumers spending at retail, the ability of U.S. importers and retailers to secure financing with respect to goods manufactured and exported from China is of critical importance.

Mobile-commerce enabler Outlier, a subsidiary of Qualcom, announced JCPenney as its latest retail partner for Outlier's recently released mobile application, Swagg. The application, providing shoppers with mobile access to retail special offers and customer loyalty programs.