Holiday retail sales might have staved off a visit from the Grinch thanks in part to social media.
Nearly half of U.S. retailers polled in a pre-holiday national survey said they intended to increase their use of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter during the Christmas shopping season.
"Social media has allowed for a very efficient, low-cost way for retailers to communicate directly with their best customers on exclusive sales and offers," said Clay McDaniel, co-founder of Seattle-based marketing firm Spring Creek Group.