gap

Dow Closes at Another High, Eyes Turn to U.S. Payrolls

U.S. stocks closed modestly higher on Thursday, with the Dow ending at a record for a third straight day as jobless claims data pointed to a pick-up in the labor market's recovery a day before the closely watched payrolls report.

Wall Street Watch: Dell Needs to Think Outside of the Box

Dell was once the envy of the consumer tech industry, but its days sales growth are long past. The PC maker saw its profitability drop sharply as sales tumbled 11% to $13.7 billion in the quarter that just ended -- even further than analysts expected.

Quebec to Big Retailers: Frenchify Your Signs

Walmart and several other leading North American retailers are going to court to fight orders from the Quebec Board of the French Language that their outdoor signs be modified in order to appear "more French."

Outlet Stores Are In: Their Shift from Overstock to Au Courant

Outlet stores have come a long way, baby. No longer mere repositories of last season's cast-offs, factory stores are now among the healthiest retail sectors, hawking new, trendy items made expressly for them. Credit the recession for the change -- and for more reasons than you'd expect.

Outlet Stores Are In: How They Went from Overstock Bins to Au Courant

Outlet stores have come a long way, baby. No longer mere repositories of last season's cast-offs, factory stores are now among the healthiest retail sectors, hawking new, trendy items made expressly for them. Credit the recession for the change -- and for more reasons than you'd expect.

Gas Prices, Cars Push US Retail Sales Up 0.9%

U.S. retail sales rose in August from July because consumers paid higher gas prices and bought more cars and trucks. They were more cautious elsewhere, suggesting the weak economy has made many selective about spending.

Wall Street Watch Friday:

A Turbulent Ride for Aeropostale

Business appears to be grounded at Aeropostale. The once trendy mall retailer posted uninspiring quarterly results on Thursday after the market close, and the back-to-school shopping season is shaping up to be an even bigger disappointment.

Beyond Olympic Uniforms: Where the Products We Love Are Made

Forget all the hullabaloo over Team USA's much maligned, Chinese-made Olympic uniforms; we're a nation of importers. But importing from where? Check out DailyFinance's unscientific survey of some of America's more popular products and where they're actually made.

Clearance Sales Lured Shoppers to Boost Spending in July

Hot weather and clearance sales drew Americans into stores in July, giving retailers solid sales gains and helping offset worries about jobs and the economy. Three-quarters of retailers reporting results said they beat expectations.

Why Gap Will Never Be Great Again

Gap investors may feel pretty stoked right now. Shares of the company behind Old Navy, Banana Republic, and its namesake apparel chain have been on fire this year. But look closer and you'll see why this former fashion darling is still fading.