WASHINGTON >> Consumers slowed the growth in their spending in November, and income growth was flat, two worrisome signs at the start of the holiday shopping season.

Consumer spending rose 0.2 percent in November, the weakest showing since a 0.1 percent rise in August, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.

So far, spending in the holiday shopping season has not been as strong as last year. That has prompted some stores to offer better deals as well as incentives such as free shipping.

Ikea to pay 3 families $50M over their children’s deaths

PHILADELPHIA >> Lawyers for three families say Ikea is agreeing to pay $50 million because toddlers died when the company’s dressers tipped over on them.

The Swedish home furnishings retailer has recalled millions of chests and dressers because of concerns the furniture can tip over when the drawers are opened. The families’ lawyers say Ikea will also make donations to children’s hospitals.

Johanna Iritz, a spokeswoman for Ikea in Sweden, said Thursday “it would be inappropriate to comment,” adding that the settlement was pending a U.S. court approval.

ON THE MOVE

Bonnie Kiyabu has been named director of retail operations for Pualeilani Atrium Shops, which is located in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Kiyabu was the general manager of Hyatt Place and has a 40-year career with the Hyatt brand of hotels.

‘Ohana Health Plan has honored the following case managers in Hawaii for giving outstanding care to mentally ill residents, including individuals who are homeless: Joy Gorman, Aloha House, Maui; Monica Velasco, Breaking Boundaries, Oahu; Patricia Kaleiwahea, Care Hawaii, Hilo; Judith “Malia” Guerra, Care Hawaii, Kauai; Keana Rees, Care Hawaii, Kona; Mary Jane Lonzame, Care Hawaii, Oahu; Dario Garcia, Community Empowerment Resources, Oahu; Symphonie Cubit, Hale Na‘au Pono, Oahu; Renee Wetzel, Helping Hands Hawaii, Hilo; Chelsea Phillips, Helping Hands Hawaii, Oahu; Angelique Matutino, Hina Mauka, Oahu; Janice Workman, Hope Inc., Hilo; Alicia Fu, Hope Inc., Oahu; Donna Keys, Institute for Human Services, Oahu; Alvin Stephenson, Kalihi Palama Health Center, Oahu; Etsuko Yamaguchi, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Oahu; Victoria Clark, Mental Health Kokua, Hilo; Elizabeth Gonzales, Mental Health Kokua, Kauai; Jessica Horton and Edith Blas, Mental Health Kokua, Kona; Jacqueline Warlick, Mental Health Kokua, Oahu; Thomas Robertson, North Shore Mental Health, Oahu; Mein Hoa, Susannah Wesley, Oahu; Jeanne-Marie Long, Windward TSS, Oahu; Derrick Sugi, West Hawaii CMHC, Hawaii; Brandy Akimo, West Honolulu TSS, Oahu; Kristina Kanani Carmichael, East Hawaii CMHC, Hawaii; and Malyntha Halealpiy, Maui CHMC, Maui.