Men, who have endured slightly higher unemployment rates than women, have been taking on more of the household shopping, according to a recent report. The trend hasn't boded well for stores: On average, men spend less than women on each trip.
Target Corp. will open its first smaller, "urban" store in Seattle in 2012, marking attempts by the second-largest U.S. discount store chain to boost business by expanding beyond its largely suburban customer base.
Since April, major convenience store operator Couche-Tard has been trying to buy regional player Casey's General Stores. Casey's board rejected a hostile $1.9 billion offer on Tuesday -- but don't expect that to stop Couche-Tard, which operates the Mac's and Circle K chains.
American consumers are voicing their disgust with BP the only way they can -- by not buying gas sold under the oil company's name. Despite their good intentions, however, it turns out that independent businesspeople own the vast majority of BP stations.
