1.   As the holiday shopping season approaches, businesses like Swapdrive Inc., a technology firm, are depending on the US Postal Service as a source of advertising.

2.   Additionally, a University of Michigan survey showed Americans grew more optimistic about their finances as the holiday shopping season approaches.

3.   Investors got a sign today that consumers in the U.S. remain upbeat as the holiday shopping season approaches.

4.   Private reports today pointed to a slump in retail sales as the crucial holiday shopping season approaches.

5.   Some economists are even concerned that companies could go too far in shedding workers, especially as the Christmas shopping season approaches.

6.   The inflation outlook is far from alarming in most department stores and shopping malls as the Christmas shopping season approaches.

7.   This suggested lackluster consumer spending as the holiday shopping season approaches.