Winter Holidays

Walgreens on Wednesday launched its first Flu Index for the 2017-18 season. The Flu Index is a weekly report that ranks the top markets and states for flu activity in the U.S., including Puerto Rico.

Brownsville and Beaumont, Texas are among the top markets for flu this week, and Texas and Arkansas top the list of U.S. states with the most flu activity.

According to research from Hallmark, the Kansas City, Mo.-based greeting cards company, nearly three-fourths of consumers who send holiday cards do so because they know how good it feels when they receive a holiday greeting.

Throughout what Amazon calls the “Turkey 5,” or the five shopping days spanning Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, Amazon customers “worldwide ordered at record levels,” according to the online giant.

As part of the many online deals happening on Cyber Monday, beauty brand CoverGirl has decided to use this day to launch their new line of lipsticks. The Melting Pout Metallics come in eight different, highly-pigmented shades, such as 24 Carat, Mic Drop, and Platinum Card. The company believes these new products will add a touch of glimmer to dramatic bold lips

The Cleveland-based American Greetings is embracing the spirit of Hanukkah with newly unveiled cards and gift wrap. Drawing inspiration from the deep-rooted tradition far beyond dreidel games, the company believes the products will appeal to a wide range of customers.

With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, companies are trying to entice consumers by announcing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals before the actual day. With that type of information out in the open, Wisconsin-based company Shopko also decided to share its predictions for what exactly consumers will be on the hunt for when hitting retailers nationwide.

Black Friday deals are currently getting underway and Rite Aid stores throughout the nation are kick starting the shopping season by offering its lowest offers of the year. With sales starting as early as 8 a.m. on Thursday and 7 a.m. in select locations on Black Friday, the Pennsylavania-based retailer hopes to entice consumers.

The lowest offers of the year will become available through the retailer from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25, when using Rite Aid’s wellness+ with Plenti card. Stocking stuffers and holiday essentials that will be on sale include: