Recent Nielsen surveys of shoppers show that, much like in 2010, the majority of consumers (80%) are avoiding in-store Black Friday shopping.

As Black Friday and the holiday season approaches, Apple appears to be the consumer electronics brand to beat. A recent Nielsen survey shows kids’ holiday gaming and electronics appetites are whet by a number of top-selling Apple devices – with the iPad leading the pack.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of consumers around the world expect to spend the same amount or less on holiday gifts compared to last year, according to a recent Nielsen global survey of online respondents in 56 countries.

Nielsen’s Top 20 Games to Watch reveals the most anticipated games of the 2011 holiday season, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 the most coveted among active U.S. gamers.

A new survey by The Nielsen Company shows that of the 46 percent of Americans shopping this week, one-fifth will wait to shop in order to get last minute deals while nearly 40 percent say they haven’t had time to shop yet.

To the buying brain, the barrage of holiday messaging can come across as so much noise. Overwhelmed by the clutter of competing messages and displays, the brain tunes out all but the most clear and relevant ideas.

With Black Friday rapidly approaching, parents may want to get up early Friday morning to find deals, as a recent survey shows their kids are eyeing some wallet-stretching electronics this holiday season.

A new survey by The Nielsen Company shows that nearly one in five Americans will shop the Friday after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday) and more than half (61 percent) plan to spend $100 – $500.

While more consumers are expected to head into the holiday season with intent to buy compared to last year, expect the shopping to be subdued and value-focused.

The Christmas retail season is in full swing, and in Australia, shopping is the on the minds of many, as online buzz about gift-giving is up more than 400 percent, according to research from The Nielsen Company.