apple store

The holiday season has been strong for retail sales overall, but some chains have still found lumps of coal in their stockings. And as the holiday season winds down, what's bad for retailers may be good for you.

J.C. Penney is betting on iconic domestic diva Martha Stewart to help reinvent the staid department store concept, and in turn, how America shops. Their partnership is the first bold move from new CEO Ron Johnson -- but can it work?

Uniqlo has a simple plan: To revolutionize how people wear clothes. As its next step, the Japanese retailer of utilitarian but sexy fashions with cutting-edge features is making a massive push into the U.S. And if you haven't heard the buzz Uniqlo's generating, you will soon.

Apple is holding a private memorial service for employees to celebrate the life of Steve Jobs. The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at company headquarters in Cupertino; it will also be webcast to employees worldwide. Apple plans to close its retail stores for several hours so employees can watch the service online.

It's a sign of just how far and wide demand for Apple products has grown: the consumer-electronics store is about to open a store in Anchorage, Alaska. The new retail outlet, along with another one in Murray, Utah, brings the total number of U.S. Apple stores to 240.

Ron Johnson, the man credited with the success of the Apple Store, is about to move downmarket to take over as CEO of J.C. Penney. The buzz from Wall Street has been nothing but positive, but can the executive live up to the hype and reinvent the retailer's dated brand?

Verizon sold out of its iPhone 4 pre-order allotment after only 17 hours. But don't despair, they'll be available soon online again and in Verizon, Apple and a few other stores. It's starting to look like it'll be another all-night camp-out for those who want to score day-one phones.

Google is considering a plan to expand its Android newsstand -- and heat rivalry with Apple's iTunes -- by charging publishers a lower price to sell news to Android users than the 30% fee that Apple typically charges to sell apps on iTunes. Will that be enough to attract more news?

Want to be an extra-generous Santa in 2010? Try buying the most expensive item at each of 12 popular U.S. retailers. According to an unscientific survey by 24/7 Wall St, that would set you back nearly $15 million (thanks mainly to a visit to Tiffany). But, wow, what goodies you'd be hauling down that chimney.

The same system Apple Store employees use to run credit card transactions on iPhones or iPod Touches is about to spread. Apple is offering it to other retailers, a move that could create a multifaceted win for Apple's enterprise business.