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Week in Preview: Retail Earnings in the Spotlight

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.

Borders Delays Payments to Gain Time

Borders says it will postpone January payments to many vendors to conserve cash, though the move may do no more than delay a prepackaged bankruptcy or breakup of the company.

Google to Launch E-Book Store

Google is joining the fray, finally entering the crowded world of e-books alongside Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple. It is a little late to the party, but the world's largest search company has an inherent advantage over its competition.

Burkle Says He's Not After Control of B&N

Investor Ron Burkle, who's embroiled in a proxy fight at Barnes & Noble, says he doesn't want control of the bookseller. His Yucaipa Companies owns 18.8% of the company and claims in a letter that he wants Chairman Leonard Riggio's hold on Barnes & Noble broken.

Sony Slashes e-Reader Price

Sony has cut the price of its entry level e-reader by $30 to $169.99. Some predict prices could fall as low as $99 by next year.

Some Nooks Will Be Late to the Holiday Party

Barnes and Noble has announced that some people who ordered Nook e-readers will be disappointed this year, as their orders are delayed. The book retailer will try to make up for the delay by sending $100 coupons to those left out in the gift-giving cold.