<p>In this Thursday, Dec. 20 photo, a holiday shopper walks past a large Christmas tree at Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach, Calif. A last-minute surge in spending helped many major U.S. retailers report better-than-expected sales in December, a relief for stores that make up to 40 percent of annual revenue during the holiday period.</p>
January 4, 2013
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January 4, 2013 8 p.m.
Happy holidays
Retailers report higher December sales
NEW YORK - A last-minute surge in spending saved the holiday shopping season.