Holiday season to test U.S. consumer recovery

U.S. economic leaders may say that the worst of the recession is past, but
their optimism is not yet shared by regular citizens, a rising number of whom
are jobless or running out of money and credit to cover daily expenses.

Faced with a global financial crisis in 2008, shoppers pared down gift lists
and even made their own presents to save money, setting the stage for the worst
retail shopping season in decades. For the latest Reuters stories on the
upcoming holiday season, double-click on the square brackets below:

LATEST NEWS
> Amazon soars above Street view, shares skyrocket [ID:nN2238215]
> Wal-Mart takes gloves off, sounds holiday price war [ID:nN21501560]
> Mattel website lets shoppers buy direct [ID:nN21501329]
> U.S. workers holiday shopping at jobs, study says [ID:nnN21492886]
> U.S retail holiday sales seen up 1.6 pct - ShopperTrak [ID:nN20424185]
> U.S. consumers plan to spend less this holiday -NRF [ID:nN19385070]
> Toys R Us offers layaway plan for holidays [ID:nN19343662]
> Mattel cites hope for a better holiday, shares rise [ID:nBNG449001]

ANALYSES AND FEATURES
> Value, comfort on U.S. menus this holiday season [ID:nN21496806]
> Wal-Mart attacks new markets with big price cuts [ID:nN16370520]
> U.S. retailers try to break deep discount habit [ID:nN0972274]
> Fewer holiday goods spurs U.S. retail scramble [ID:nN19379120]
> Holiday miracle needed for turnaround at U.S. ports [ID:nN19383319]