I found it interesting that a recent letter to the Tribune, “Congress Needs to Close Tax Loopholes” talked nothing about the legislation before Congress that would close the sales tax loophole online retail companies currently use to not pay their fair share. Last year, this issue popped up in the Arizona legislature, and the Governor ended up reaching a deal with Amazon.com to pay their fair share. This year, it is popping up in Congress, and our East Valley congressman (Schweikert and Salmon) need to step up and show the same leadership. Small retail businesses are too critical to our communities to ignore this inequality. Ask any store owner in Old Town Scottsdale, or downtown Mesa, Chandler, or Gilbert, and they will all tell you that it’s an extreme disadvantage for them to try and compete with online retailers when they can undercut your price by as much as 10 percent. So yes — let’s close the tax loopholes, and start with this one.

E-Books and Amazon.com may spell the demise of the publishing industry, but Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, named “Best Bookstore” yet again by “2013 Best of East Valley Voters, continues to thrive.

Ask Santa for new tech stuff and, most importantly, ask for a techno-wizard elf to keep your stuff running.

Check this deal. Take four people out to an evening movie; buy each a ticket, a small popcorn and a small drink for a total of $24. Where? Well, you are about to find out. The costly holidays are upon us, so let’s save some money on movies.

This holiday season, the hottest trend among retailers isn't found on a store shelf. It's taking place at the cash register.

WASHINGTON — Booming sales on Cyber Monday might have meant savings for consumers, but they could also have meant lost revenue for the state of Arizona, a new report said.

Google has started shipping a larger version of its Nexus tablet computer, one that comes closer to competing with Apple’s full-size iPad and other tablets. Here’s a look at how the Nexus 10 compares with other tablets with similar screens.

Well, “Holiday Creep” is what I call the phenomenon of having holiday hype start earlier and earlier every year.

Google has started shipping a larger version of its Nexus tablet computer, one that comes closer to competing with Apple’s full-size iPad and other tablets. Here’s a look at how the Nexus 10 compares with other tablets with similar screens.

Get ready for Black Friday week.

Get ready for Black Friday week.

Sweater-y cable knits, textural weaves, rich faux furs ... this fall, throws are showing up in all the retailers’ collections.

Tempe's Changing Hands Bookstore is set up for customers browsing its shelves in search of a good read, co-owner Gayle Shanks said.

Paula Owens’ book, “The Power of 4,” has been rated No. 1 in the Health, Diet and Fitness category on Amazon.com. Owens has been an Ahwatukee Foothills resident for 20 years. She is a nutritionist, fitness and fat loss expert and natural health practitioner.

The nation's largest online retailer is going to start collecting sales tax on items ordered by its Arizona customers.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Apple's iPad Mini will bring a lot more excitement and a little more confusion to the holiday shopping season.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Apple Inc. on Tuesday revealed a smaller version of its hit iPad tablet computer that will start at $329 and comes with a screen that's about two-thirds the size of the full-size model.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Apple introduced a smaller iPad, as expected, but also updated its full-sized one. It also unveiled new Mac computers, including a 13-inch version of a MacBook Pro with sharper, "Retina" display.

NEW YORK -- Those who follow Apple believe they have figured out most of the particulars of a smaller iPad expected to be revealed on Tuesday. One big question remains, though: What will it cost?

In an increasingly digital world, aspiring authors have more options — and cheaper ones at that — for self publishing. But with self publishing also comes different challenges, said a new Mesa author.

Apple Inc. is set to reveal a smaller, cheaper version of the iPad at an event on Oct. 23, according to several reports published Friday.

Sweater-y cable knits, textural weaves, rich faux furs ... this fall, throws are showing up in all the retailers' collections.