Sears

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you still need gift ideas, look no further: We've surveyed some of the top retailers to find out what's selling this year.

The hunt is on for Best Buy's next CEO, but it won't be an easy post to fill: The hard truth is that the concept of the consumer electronics superstore is becoming less relevant with each passing year.

Best Buy has a big plan to cut its costs and regain its focus: closing stores, laying off employees, shifting its focus to smartphones and mobile gadgets, and slimming down margins. Only problem is, none of that is going to save it.

It'll be a good Easter for sellers of brightly colored outfits and chocolate bunnies: Americans are expected to shell out 11% more for the holiday this year.

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.

The stock market's recent bounce has a lot of folks looking for a piece of the action. And with retail stocks shooting up faster than average, but still cheaper than a year ago, some analysts say now's the time to buy them. They're wrong. Here's why:

Sears Holdings on Tuesday reported a sharp drop in holiday sales compared to a year ago, and said the results will force it to close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores. The company said the stores to be closed have yet to be identified.

News flash, retailers: There's a reason that mosh pit of rock-bottom deals and rampant consumerism is called Black Friday -- it occurs on Friday. And there's good reason to keep it that way.

That's what retailers anxious to lure holiday shoppers are hoping to find out with their latest innovation: Walmart, Kmart, Sears and eBay are all testing versions of the "real" online store.

There's never a dull moment on Wall Street, especially when new tablets and old banks are in the way. Let's go over some of the items that will help shape the week ahead: The Kindle Fire, the Nook Tablet, and earnings reports from Sears, Gap, Hot Topic, Lowes Home Depot and Staples.