Retailers opened earlier than ever on the day after Christmas on Wednesday and slashed prices with hopes of salvaging a holiday season that is falling short of already modest expectations.

Everyone has heard predictions of a tapped-out consumer. And though they haven't materialized in the past, this time is likely to be different. Some experts see this holiday season as the consumer's last stand.

Three out of four American consumers plan to pay off their holiday shopping debt within three months, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Financial Services Roundtable.

U.S. retailers may be touting their environmental-friendliness this year, but just about the only "green" in evidence for the holidays is in the usual Christmas decorations.

The annual game of chicken has begun. Consumers are waiting to see if retailers grow desperate and cut prices deeper than planned.

AirDefense Chief Security Officer Richard Rushing talks about how to protect yourself from identity theft this holiday season. You're at risk more often than you realize.

The holiday retail season was a gloomy one, but luckily it is time to say goodbye to 2007 and turn the page to 2008.  Dana Telsey, chief research officer and retail analyst for the Telsey Advisory Group, shares her retail picks and pans for the new year.

If the consumer is going strong, why are retail stocks pricing in a recession? Retail analysts weigh in on whether retail stocks are a bargain.

The competition among video game consoles makers is getting rougher as the holiday season goes on. A look at what analysts are saying about shares of Ninetendo, Microsoft and Sony.

Last holiday shopping season, Wal-Mart was struggling to get sales on track as lower-income shoppers snubbed its efforts to imitate smaller rival Target by stocking its stores with trendy but cheap products. This year, it's Target that is struggling.

U.S. online shoppers spent a record $733 million in a single day on "Cyber Monday," according to market research firm comScore.

Online shoppers won't miss out on the deals this holiday season. Retailers are planning plenty of Web-only discounts and exclusive merchandise -- not to mention the free shipping and gift wrap deals.

Women over age 35 are increasingly rebelling against the suits and head-to-toe dressing of traditional department store labels like Liz Claiborne, Jones New York and the old-guard mall stores like Talbots and AnnTaylor. That's put sales of traditional women's fashions in a rut.

So-called Super Saturday is shaping up to be more important to retailers this year than was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Gadgets of all kinds appear to be tops on the list. CNBC's Jim Goldman takes a closer look.

David Pogue, the New York Times technology critic and a CNBC contributor, takes a close look at some overlooked gadgets and offers his ideas for holiday gifts.

Gift cards are still at the top of everyone's wish list this holiday season, but growth is expected to slow dramatically from last year.

CNBC's Jim Goldman talks about why this is a make or break holiday season for the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats.

It's not exactly like following the weather or sports, but the holiday shopping season still draws it share of prognostications -- whether it's sales forecasts ot what's-hot lists.