discount retailers

One of Wal-Mart's problems is the rise of dollar stores, which the Great Recession has rendered trendy: It's hard to resist merchandise priced at just a buck. For investors, not all rock-bottom retailers are created equal. Here's how to shop for these stocks (and stretch your investing dollars in the process).

Walmart's numbers have been stagnating in the U.S. lately, but overseas in emerging markets, the world's biggest retailer has been coming on strong. Its stock has been hovering in the low $50s -- and you won't believe where Trefis puts its estimate for the real value of the low-price giant.

Since the Great Recession began, Walmart has been facing heavy competition from dollar stores. In response, it recently opened the first of many Walmart Express stores. Stock analysis firm Trefis explores what effect these new smaller stores will have on the future value of the world's largest retailer.

Summer is here, which means for many of us, it's time for a new swimsuit. But as they hunt for a suit that truly suits, many women have to wonder: How is it that two-pieces can be so expensive when they're so tiny? DailyFinance's Loren Berlin dove into the clothing biz and came up with the answers.

Online retailer Overstock.com ended its last fiscal year on a strong note, and now it's gearing up for an international expansion. Outspoken CEO Patrick Byrne discusses the company, as well as his views on sales tax, short selling and the economy.

Retailers got some unexpected love from shoppers in the form of strong February sales. But whether consumers repeat the feat in spring could depend on gasoline prices and how they feel about their finances. So, March could be tough.

Target will open its first stores in Canada in 2013, the second-largest discount retailer in the U.S. announced in a statement Thursday. The company agreed to pay $1.84 billion to acquire the leasehold interests for as many as 220 sites operated by Hudson's Bay Co.'s Zellers stores.

Many shoppers who took advantage of the early holiday sales in November held back and forced retailers to cut prices as Christmas neared. Despite increases in luxury spending, the results show that mainstream consumers remain focused on discounts.

Dollar General announced Monday morning that its 2011 expansion plan to open 625 new stores will allow it to hire 6,000 workers this year. The discount retailer plans to add stores in markets across its existing 35-state operating area, as well as in three new states: Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire.

The TJX Companies announced Friday that it was shutting down its A.J. Wright brand, converting 91 of its 162 stores to those of its other brands -- T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods -- and closing the rest. The move will eliminate 4,400 jobs, about half of them part-time positions.