The November 20 week is effectively a three-day work week with the Federal holiday on Thursday for Thanksgiving and many workers taking leave on Friday to have a four-day weekend afterward. Black Friday is the unofficial kickoff for the holiday shopping season, although the early birds have been out in stores and online for some weeks already. Retailers – brick-and-mortar, online, and hybrid – will be offering deals to tempt consumers and hopefully set the tone for a solid gifting season. There are a few shifts in the timing of release dates to remember. The Fed will publish the minutes of the October 31-November 1 ... (full story)