Malls and big-box stores across the nation had more shoppers visiting on Black Friday than the previous year, but sales decreased thanks perhaps to retailers starting the holiday shopping season on Thanksgiving night, says a report.

"Nice" companies that acknowledge Christmas far outnumber the ones that censor it, according to Christian legal group Liberty Counsel's 10th annual "Naughty & Nice" checklist. Those on the "Naughty" side include Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., and Banana Republic.

There will be a black Friday 2012 Apple sale where devices such as the iPad, iPod, MacBook Pro and iMac will be discounted significantly.

Walmart workers are planning a massive, nationwide walk off of work ahead of Black Friday, the shopping mania day after Thanksgiving, to pressure the world's largest retailer to improve its pay, hours, and health benefits.

The CEO of coal mining company Murray Energy Corp. said the re-election of President Barack Obama has forced him to make layoffs. In a meeting Wednesday with employees, Robert E. Murray concluded that a second Obama term means reduced economic activity, more regulation and redistribution.

The United Methodist Publishing House has announced that it will be closing down all their Cokesbury stores, supplanting them with business through other venues.

A recent study by a technology research firm has concluded that in five years the value of information technology opportunities that are religiously based will be an estimated $40 billion.

The Netflix board of directors has elected to adopt a "poison pill" plan in an effort to stave off a possible hostile buyout.

Evangelical Christian-led fast-food chain Chick-fil-A is now the fourth most popular brand among Republicans, but ranks at the bottom among Democrats, according to an annual index that measures the popularity of brands by party affiliation.

A report from a California-based research group on the third quarter earnings of Chick-fil-A has shown that the company experienced growth in its business during the fallout from this past summer's controversy.