JWN

Many of America's best-known retailers, including Walmart, Home Depot and JCPenney, will be stepping into the earnings spotlight this week. Their reports come on the heels of disappointing January retail sales numbers from the Commerce Department.

Dell will highlight a handful of tech company results this week. Also reporting earnings will be food giants Smucker and Campbell Soup, also Marriott and other members of the lodging and hospitality industry, and the first of a long string of results from retailers.

"Better than expected" is the new catchphrase for retailers, most of whom posted August sales that were weak but not as bad as many had forecast. Sales reported Thursday showed that shoppers continue to focus on must-have items such as food and toiletries, while luxury sales are dragging....

Macy's (M) has come up with a new way to get customers. It is going to go after people who used to shop at retailers that have gone out of business. According to The Wall Street Journal, "Deutsche Bank estimates $21.4 billion in U.S. retail sales from defunct apparel, electronics and home...

Early last year when the Bush administration pushed through tax refunds, consumer spending ticked up as the money made its way into the retail markets. But the spending spree was short-lived and retail sales dropped as the recession took hold. The same principles, and problems, may be facing the...

U.S. stock futures pointed to a strong start Monday morning as reports the U.S. government could increase its stake in Citigroup and After NABE released a survey projecting a modest pickup in the second half of 2009, followed by a solid recovery in 2010. Before the bell: Stocks to start higher on...