Thumbs up:A powerful consumer organisation in the US has gone to war with retailers over the issue of unredeemed gift cards. Consumer Reports took out full page ads in the New York Times last week advising shoppers to think twice before choosing a gift card. Over 25 per cent of all gift cards are lost, expire or are just never spent, the consumer advocacy group says.

Thumbs down: We've hit a Wii bump

Nintendo's Wii games console is apparently in short supply this Christmas, which could mean disappointment for many. "Seasonal demand trends are being broken, therefore the demand for Wii hardware is constant throughout the whole year globally. Due to this phenomenon it is possible that the demand for Wii hardware may outstrip supply," a spokeswoman said.

Thumbs down: Low, low practices

An EU-wide investigation into misleading advertising and unfair practices on airline ticket-selling websites has found that over 50 per cent of sites studied had "irregularities". The investigation of Europe's leading airlines and low-cost carriers, plus other websites selling airline tickets, and found irregularities relating to pricing, contract terms and clarity of proposed conditions. The investigation is to be followed by an enforcement phase lasting four months after which companies will be "named and shamed" if they fail to bring their websites in line with EU law.