AnnArbor.com is gearing up to tell the local “stories of the season” as holiday shopping takes over Washtenaw County’s retail landscape.

Our news coverage, called “Holiday09,” launches in print and online on Sunday, Nov. 1.

We’ll be mobilizing a team of business reporters and retail bloggers to report all aspects of local shopping.

What will you find in our expanded shopping coverage? The best of the national trend articles, retail news and analysis from the local market, notable deals from area stores and plenty of observations about how and where people are shopping.

To keep track of shopping news, visit www.annarbor.com/shopping.

Have a tip for us? Contact Business Director Paula Gardner by email or call (734) 623-2586.

Also starting Nov. 1 is another new holiday shopping feature at AnnArbor.com: an online holiday shopping guide featuring photos and descriptions of merchandise that shoppers can find in local stores. Watch for this advertising launch Nov. 1 at www.annarbor.com/holidayshopping.