Retail Sales Rise in May as Import, Export Prices Soften
U.S. retail sales rose more than expected in May as households stepped up purchases of automobiles and bought other goods, as prices for imports and exports slipped.
retail sales
Fed Official: Policymakers May Have to Alter Course
The Fed is poised to evaluate and potentially make changes to its massive monetary stimulus, says a top agency official who is critical of the Fed's bond-buying program.
J.C. Penney is Done Apologizing; Now, It Wants to Thank You
Just weeks after launching an ad campaign apologizing for alienating its customers, J.C. Penney has stopped running its big apology commercial and pulled it from the Internet.
April Retail Sales Unexpectedly Rise
U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose in April as households bought automobiles, building materials and a range of other goods, pointing to underlying strength in the economy.
Chain Retailers Report Solid Sales Gains in April
Americans spent more during the early spring months in the latest sign that they're encouraged by the economic recovery.
5 Stocks to Watch This Week
With Apple, Ford, Nintendo, Zynga and Amazon getting ready to report, let's go over a few of the items that will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street.
Drop in Retail Sales a Worrying Sign for the Economy
U.S. retail sales contracted in March for the second time in three months, a sign the American economy may have stumbled at the end of the first quarter.
Stocks Rise for Fourth Day in a Row, Led by Retail
Rite Aid, Ross Stores and other retailers surged Thursday after turning in better sales, and major stock market indexes rose for a fourth day straight.
Family Dollar Says Earnings Hurt by Delay in Tax Refunds
Family Dollar reports weaker-than-expected quarterly profits, saying a delay in tax refunds hurt sales at the end of January and early February.
Why You May Be Feeling Left Behind in the Economic Recovery
Many of the U.S. economy's vital signs have recovered from the damage done by the Great Recession, but some measures have a way yet to go.
Registers Cash Out as Retailers Turn to Mobile Payment Devices
Stores across the country are ditching cash registers and having salespeople -- and even shoppers themselves -- ring up sales on smartphones and tablet computers.
Tiffany's Earnings Beat Estimates, Despite Sluggish U.S. Sales
Tiffany's quarterly net income rose less than 1 percent, but still beat Wall Street predictions as strong demand in Asia for its goods offset weakness in the U.S.
5 Things to Watch on Wall Street This Week
From Fedex reporting earnings to BlackBerry finally bringing the Z10 smartphone to America, there will be plenty happening to move the markets in the week ahead.
Retail Sales Up 1.1% in Feb, Fastest Spending Pace in 5 Months
Americans spent at the fastest pace in five months in February, boosting retail spending 1.1 percent compared with January, despite a rise in Social Security taxes.
Walmart Internal Emails: Sales Figures a "Total Disaster"
Bloomberg got its hands on some internal emails exchanged by Walmart executives discussing recent sales figures, and they paint a grim picture of the situation at the world's largest retailer. Asks one executive: "Where are all the customers? And where's their money?"
Retailers Go Discount-Crazy with One Deal After Another in January
Following a so-so holiday season, retailers are keeping their heavy discounting going in January. And it's not just the usual winter apparel deals: The deep price cuts are hitting everything from socks to designer clothing to consumer electronics.
U.S. Retail Sales Rose 0.5 Percent in December
U.S. consumers increased their spending at retail businesses in December, buying more autos, furniture and clothing. Steady job growth and lower gas prices kept consumers shopping for the holidays, despite worries about potentially tax increases.
Holiday Retail Sales Growth Weakest Since 2008
U.S. holiday retail sales this year grew at the weakest pace since 2008, when the nation was in a deep recession. In 2012, the shopping season was disrupted by bad weather and consumers' rising uncertainty about the economy.
Best Buy's Stock Price Falls to a Millennium Low
Best Buy shares were crushed on Tuesday after another disappointing quarter, hitting prices that the consumer electronics giant's investors hadn't seen since the 1990s. Here are some of the reasons why Best Buy has fallen to a millennium low -- and why things may get worse.
No Sale: J.C. Penney Reports Worse Than Expected Quarterly Loss
J.C. Penney reported a bigger-than-expected loss in the third quarter on plummeting sales as customers continue to reject its move get rid of blockbuster sales in favor of everyday low pricing. It's the third consecutive quarter of losses and steep sales declines.
Retail Sales Up 1.1% in September
Americans stepped up their spending at retail businesses in September, reflecting their growing confidence in the economy. Retail sales rose 1.1 percent last month, the Commerce Department said. That followed a 1.2 percent increase in August. Both were the largest gains since October 2010.
Holiday Retail Sales Prediction: 4.1 Percent Higher Than 2012
Americans are expected to spend more during what's traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year, but they're not exactly ready to shop 'til they drop like they have been in the past two years.
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.
How Kohl's Plans to Lure You in for the Holidays
Kohl's CEO Kevin Mansell thinks he knows the holiday-season recipe that can pull his retail chain out of the slump it has been in lately. The key ingredients: rock bottom prices and more exclusive designer collections.
Retailers Report Best Sales Growth Since March
This summer, Americans were walking contradictions: They opened their wallets despite escalating fears about the slow economic recovery and surging gas prices.
Fed Survey: US Economy Grew During Summer
The Federal Reserve says the U.S. economy expanded at a moderate pace in July and early August, buoyed by stronger retail sales.
The Economic Outlook Is Looking Up: Leading Indicators Rise in July
A gauge of future U.S. economic activity improved in July on a drop in new claims for jobless benefits and an increase in housing permits, although the reading still pointed to sluggish growth ahead.
Target Beats the Street with Healthy Sales Numbers
Target exceeded analysts' sales forecasts for its second quarter, and is banking on brisk consumer shopping patterns to continue at its 1,772 stores for the remainder of the year.
Wall Street this Week: Surprises in Store for Retailers
It's going to be a busy week for retailers as more than a dozen publicly traded chains offer up their latest quarterly financials. But regardless of how popular a diversion shopping is, don't assume that crowded malls are translating into blowout results for major retailers.
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.