Gift-buying is a minefield – and austerity makes matters worse. So why do we still insist on getting into debt for often unwanted presents? We should learn our limits, says Harriet Walker

The Christmas sales are close at hand, but don't brave the crowds without doing your homework first. Harriet Walker reports

High street bellwether John Lewis saw sales of £104m last week, up by 1.2 per cent year on year and by 3.7 per cent compared with the previous week, despite "atrocious weather conditions".

Forget discreet decorations, it's all about tinsel and sparkles. Best of all, it's easy to bring maximalism into our homes – without breaking the bank, says Kate Watson-Smyth

With VAT going up in January and spending cuts expected to bite next year, are Britons likely to hang up their shopping bags in the new year? James Thompson reports

Grant Shapps' complaint that under the Financial Services Authority's plans for regulatory reform, even he wouldn't have got a mortgage no doubt means that the regulator will face further pressure to rethink its proposals.

John Lewis has said its online sales will smash through the £500m barrier this year, as it delivered another stellar weekly performance in its department stores.

Furniture designer Robin Day, who has died at the age of 95, lived to become a legend in his own lifetime. Day created the world's first Polypropylene chair, fondly known as the "Polyprop", one of the best-selling stacking chairs of all time – 14 million and counting – widely used up and down the land in schools, cafés and village halls. Originally launched by Hille in 1963, it is still going strong in various forms today, literally so, as it is remarkable for its durability as well as its understated visual sophistication.

Forget dull bulbs and blinding spotlights, there are plenty of clever ways to light upyour home in style. Caroline Kamp offers the essential guide to interiors illumination.

The department store Debenhams has revealed it will reintroduce its dividend after a two-year hiatus, as it posted a sharp uplift in full-year profits.

Born in 1981, American composer Nico Muhly has been fast-tracked to ubiquity with a string of high-profile commissions.

John Lewis has posted another strong weekly performance, with sales at its Waitrose supermarket chain boosted by students stocking up on ready meals for the start of the university term.

The middle classes' favourite retailer shrugged off talk of a double-dip recession yesterday, posting strong growth in first-half sales and profits.

Storm clouds gathered on Britain's high street today after a shock fall in retail sales and a slew of pessimistic comments from major players.