With cars circling parking lots in search of the rare open spot and crowds of shoppers shuffling by towering Christmas trees, red coffee cups clutched in one hand and bags of merchandise in the other, the holiday shopping season is in full swing.

And, in spite of the downturn in the oil industry this year and a growing preference for online shopping, retailers in The Woodlands have seen an increase in sales and anticipate a strong holiday season.

While Black Friday did not draw the frenzied crowds that customarily predict the success of the upcoming shopping season, management at The Woodlands Mall and Market Street, two of the major shopping destinations in The Woodlands, said all signs point to growth in sales this year. click here for complete story