Check out the expected higher use of cash and debit cards this holiday shopping season by debt-weary American consumers.

Credit cards are losing their appeal as 28.3 percent of U.S. shoppers said they plan to use that method of payment most often this holiday season, down from 31.5 percent last year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation and BIGresearch.

Meanwhile, those intending to use cash most often rose to 24.9 percent from 22.8 percent last year, while debit card/check card use increased 1 percentage point to 42.5 percent, according to the survey.

“With many holiday shoppers focused on spending within their limits, it’s no surprise that fewer people will be relying on credit cards this year,” NRF CEO Tracy Mullin said in a statement.

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Home depot profit beats Street; outlook raised

Target profit up, cautious on fourth quarter

Ferrero weighs Cadbury alliance offer-report

Dillard’s swings to profit in Q3

Saks posts Q3 profit, shares up

Coca-Cola aims to double system revenue by 2020

(Reuters photo)

Check out Toys R Us hiring 35,000 for the holiday season.
 
The toy store giant said it would keep its U.S. store hiring plans at the same level as the last two years, even though industry watchers expect a relatively bleak winter.

Toys R Us, the New Jersey-based chain with nearly 70,000 permanent associates around the globe, is preparing for what it expects will be “another busy holiday shopping season.”  Besides hiring about 35,000 for the season, current Toys R Us employees will also be given the chance to work extra hours, the company said.

So far, we haven’t seen any must-have toys, but the battle has clearly begun.
 
Also on Wednesday, Walmart unveiled its plans to cut prices on toys once again this holiday season.  The world’s largest retailer said it would have a $10 toys section in all U.S. stores today, offering more than 100 toys at that price.

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Credit limits, self-discipline threaten holiday sales

Danone sells Wahaha venture stake, builds war chest

Dylan album goes for early sales to Citi customers

Go shopping at Italian supermarket to win a job

(Reuters photo)

Los Angeles shoppers weren’t in much of a splurging mood, except when it came to buying dolls and doll clothes at American Girl. The Grove shopping center is home to one of six American Girl stores in the United States and parents said its dolls are on every girl’s wish list. Here’s what we captured on camera:

Check Out Circuit City posting its fifth quarterly loss for the past six quarters and withdrawing its financial outlook, as declining store traffic put a damper on sales right before the key holiday season.
   

Circuit City, which competes with Best Buy, has been the subject of takeover speculation and other questions about its future as results weaken, hurt by  consumers dialing back on nonessential spending amid high food and gas prices and tight credit markets.  

Earlier in the year, Circuit City received a takeover offer from movie-rental company Blockbuster, but that was later withdrawn after the movie-rental company decided taking on the troubled retailer wasn’t in its best interests. No other company has since expressed interest.    

Last week, Chief Executive Philip Schoonover left, taking with him his full $900,000 base salary, another $900,000 target bonus for the current fiscal year, health care for two years and automatic vesting of his stock options. 

The company now says it is closely reviewing its business and will take steps to shore up its performance during the critical holiday shopping season.

 Also in the basket:

Walgreen posts higher quarterly profit (Reuters)

Pilgrim’s gets temporary waiver on convenant  (Reuters)

Wal-Mart Japan unit to close 20 stores, cut staff (Reuters)

(Photo/Reuters)