Inevitable, irreversible and irresistible. That's how some environmental experts view the coming of "the low-carbon economy."

Consumers expect to hear knocks on their door from delivery services well into the holiday week and for no cost at all, according to Deloitte's 30th annual holiday survey of consumer spending intentions and trends. In fact, free shipping is the top priority for shoppers when it comes to retail policies, with 72 percent of responding consumers planning to take full advantage of the perk. Nearly 9 in 10 shoppers (87 percent) prioritized free shipping over fast shipping (13 percent) when purchasing gifts shopping online.

Can playing a game help supply-chain managers cope with the uncertainties of the real world?

Target has been revamping its grocery business and is seriously considering enlisting a third party to help solve supply chain issues.

With a quarter of holiday shoppers planning to spend more this year than last, retailers can start to celebrate. In its second year of research into holiday shopping plans, analytics company SAS polled 3,458 consumers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. The U.S. led spending growth with 29 percent of consumers saying they'll spend more. Canadian shoppers, on the other hand, are tightening their budgets this year. Millennial shoppers (ages 18 to 29) are most likely to up their spending this year, while older consumers are tending to stick with last year's budget.

Holiday shoppers are expected to spend more this season, but it's where or how they plan to spend that should interest retailers, as Thanksgiving Day shopping and social media gain in popularity, according to a new study from Accenture.