JC Penney Co Inc

The classic graduation gifts are perfect for someone headed for an artist's colony or off on a vacation. But with half of recent college grads unemployed, the best gifts are ones that will help put them on the fast track to a job. Here are five smart options.

First, U.S. manufacturing collapsed under the pressure from low-wage labor overseas, leaving the landscape dotted with hollowed-out plants and gutted factories. Now, assailed factors from online shopping to the economic downturn, the retail sector is suffering too, bequeathing us an increasing number of abandoned -- some say dead -- malls.

If you've been dilly-dallying on buying something for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, don't worry: Now that retailers know what the best-selling items are for the lovers' holiday this year, we can pass that information on to you.

Martha Stewart has a new legal problem to contend with: Macy's, which had an exclusive licensing deal with her namesake company, has filed a lawsuit against Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for hooking up with J.C. Penney.

New York Fashion Week is over, but the work is just getting started at the nation's big chain retailers. DailyFinance asked fashion and trend directors at Macy's, J.C. Penney and Banana Republic what we'll be seeing this spring.