Holiday shopping Coverage

Managing 'Buy Now, Pay Later' plans after the holidays

The holidays may be over, but for many people, the journey to pay off those holiday splurges has only just begun, especially for shoppers who opted for "Buy Now, Pay Later" plans. 5 on Your Side's Keely Arthur shares how to make sense of these short-term loans, and has Consumer Reports' advice on how to dodge costly fees.

Prime Video Channels only $1.99/mo for Prime Members: Paramount+, Starz, MGM+, BET+, Lifetime Movie & more

Amazon has select Prime Video Channels for only $1.99 for Prime Members for the first 2 months including Paramount+, Starz, MGM+, Crunchyroll, BET+, PBS Masterpiece, PBS Documentaries, PBS Kids, Lifetime Movie Club, A&E Crime Central, and more! Read on for the details.

Holiday gift returns: What shoppers need to know

What happens if what you give (or get) isn't quite right? Consumer Reports has tips to navigate those post-holiday returns, refunds and exchanges.

WRAL staff

Last-minute shoppers rush to stores on final weekend before Christmas

Triangle shoppers were out and about on Saturday, scrambling to check off those last few items on their shopping lists!

Last-minute shoppers face traffic gridlock and long waits

The holiday travel rush hit its peak Friday with last-minute shoppers crowding the lots of Garner's White Oak shopping area. Some people told WRAL News they waited up to an hour just to get a spot or to exit a lot.

From the WRAL archive: Last-minute Christmas shopping with Gilbert Baez

Instead of traveling out to Crabtree Valley Mall, we're traveling back in time to 1992. In the WRAL Archive, WRAL Fayetteville reporter Gilbert Baez showed what the last-minute Christmas shopping was like back then.

Deals under $6: Kids' books, toys, pizza cutter, measuring cups set, gel pens & more

Amazon has a number of impressive deals under $6 including book lights, bookmark sets, USB wall charger, glitter gel pens, Sharpie marker sets, Melissa & Doug activity pads, toys, kids' books, lip balm, hand lotion, measuring cups sets, measuring spoons sets, KitchenAid pizza wheel and more!

Garner's heavy holiday traffic; Saturday will be busiest on the roads

The holiday travel rush hit its peak Friday with last-minute shoppers crowding the lots of Garner's White Oak shopping area. Some people told WRAL News they waited up to an hour just to get a spot or to exit a lot.

WRAL/AP

Gift card warning, scammers drain cards

Scammers are using a "gift card draining" trick to steal money before you can use them. Look for damaged packaging, extra barcodes and scuff marks to avoid becoming a victim.

Beware of gift card draining scam: Here's how to protect yourself this holiday season

Scammers are using a "gift card draining" trick to steal money before you can use them. Look for damaged packaging, extra barcodes and scuff marks to avoid becoming a victim.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

This Season’s Hottest Shopping Trend: Falling Prices

American shoppers, burned by more than two years of rapid inflation, are getting some welcome relief this holiday season: Prices on many products are falling.

Ben Casselman, Jordyn Holman and Jeanna Smialek, New York Times

Consumer Reports' top tech gifts for 2023 holiday season

If you have a lot of people to buy for this holiday season, tech gifts are often some of the most popular, but also the most expensive. So Consumer Reports compiled a list of top tech gifts that cost $150 or less.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

5 on Your Side: The upside of refurbished gifts

Despite inflation cooling, many gifts are still at an all-time high costwise. The prices are making more people shift towards renewed and refurbished as a way to get a great deal. 5 on Your Side's Keely Arthur shares the benefits behind giving this type of gift.

Holiday shoppers rush to grab sales before Sunday storms

Expected widespread, soaking rain on Sunday will likely keep shoppers at home and out of the stores. With just a week before Christmas, time is running out for businesses who hope to make their annual sales goals.

Sunday storms could slow Christmas shoppers, sadden sellers

Expected widespread, soaking rain on Sunday will likely keep shoppers at home and out of the stores. With just a week before Christmas, time is running out for businesses who hope to make their annual sales goals.

Carly Haynes, WRAL reporter

Consumer Reports reveals their top December sales items

Missed out on Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals? WRAL consumer reporter Keely Arthur has Consumer Reports' top deals for the holiday season.

Consumer Reports top sales for December

RALEIGH- Did you miss out on all of those Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? Well, don't worry. Consumer Reports says December is packed with seasonal sales to help you pick a gift for everyone on your list.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

58% of American consumers plan to spend $500 or less this holiday shopping season, survey finds

While many retail stores and outlets have scaled back their temporary holiday workforce, the earliest holiday spending data from Black Friday and Cyber Monday suggests that spending this season is, if not spectacular, at least healthy. Most consumers have less in savings than in previous years, which may mean more moderate spending for the rest of the holiday season, according to retail observers.

Chris Horymski

Take back control of your data this shopping season

As you're shopping online for the holidays, understand that your money might not be the only thing online retailers are taking. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur shares how merchants are getting a hold of your personal data and selling it.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

CR's Permission Slip app helps you control your data

As you're shopping online for the holidays, understand that your money might not be the only things online retailers are taking. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur shares how merchants are getting a hold of your personal data and selling it.

Revisiting tipping rules during the holiday season

'Tis the season to think about rewarding the people who help us all year long, with a little extra for the holidays. In recent years, tipping expectations and etiquette has changed.

Gifts under $10 from Amazon

Check out this list of gifts under $10 for kids and adults (and pets) at Amazon!

90+ things to do in December

Plan your December with our guide to the holidays!

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Expect to pay more for your Christmas tree this year

That Christmas tree to complete your holiday decor will cost you a bit more this year. The American Christmas Tree Association reported that the average price is 10% higher this year.

Advent Calendars for kids and adults on sale starting at $7.99!

Advent Calendars for kids and adults are on sale from multiple retailers including Fisher-Price, Mini Brands Disney Minis, National Geographic, Godiva, Harry & David, Peanuts, fidget calendars, tea, puzzles, socks and more!