Can't Afford That New Fridge? Sears Will Let You Lease-to-Own
If you need to make a big purchase and can't wait for layaway, Sears is introducing a lease-to-own option for appliances, furniture and other large items.
sears holdings
Sears 4Q Loss Narrows as Co. Reduces Expenses
Sears posted a smaller loss in the fourth quarter as it reduced its inventory and expenses while sales at its namesake stores rose slightly. The company that also owns the Kmart store chain lost $489 million, or $4.61 per share, for the period ended Feb. 2.
Big Retailers Fined for Pushing Phony Bamboo Fabrics
Macy's, Amazon and Sears have all agreed to fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars each in fines after the Federal Trade Commission busted them for passing off Rayon fabrics as genuine, environmentally friendly bamboo.
Unwanted Gifts? Your Guide to Post-Christmas Returns
If Santa brought you a bunch of stuff you don't want this Christmas, you're probably itching to get to the store with the gift receipt and return it. To keep hassle to a minimum, follow these expert tips.
Free Shipping Day Is Today: The 10 Best Deals You'll Find Online
Today is Free Shipping Day, and almost 1,600 retailers are offering shipping deals to online shoppers. It's also the last day they'll guarantee regular delivery by Christmas Eve. We asked the folks behind Free Shipping Day to share their 10 favorite deals of the day: Here are their choices.
How I Saved 50 Percent by Using Kmart as Its Own Showroom
The retail trend of showrooming is exemplified by the shopper who visits a store like Kmart to get a real-world look at a product, then goes online to buy it from a competing e-commerce site at a better price. But what if the Kmart competitor offering the best price is Kmart.com?
The 8 Hot Toys Your Kids Really Want This Holiday Season
While it's been a while since we've had a toy craze on the level of Furby or Tickle-Me-Elmo, there are certainly some in-demand toys this holiday season. Here are eight of the hottest -- the ones you should probably buy before it's too late, if it isn't already.
Black Friday 2012: Reports From the Holiday Season Kickoff
DailyFinance's Matt Brownell is covering the Black Friday holiday shopping kickoff, starting Thursday evening. This article will be updated periodically with fresh details from across the country. And if you've got pictures or stories of your own shopping experiences, pass them along for us to share.
Wall Street Watch: Waiting for All Week for Black Friday Numbers
Investors know that it will be a week of heavy eating and light trading. The market is closed on Thanksgiving, and will close early on Friday. However, it won't be a light week for retail, so the Black Friday and Cyber Monday results will be top of mind for the market-minded.
Walmart's Thanksgiving Opening May Add Nothing to Bottom Line
Walmart's plan to open for business at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving with doorbuster Black Friday deals is forcing other retailers to follow suit. This shift may or may not prove a winner with shoppers, but it's already upsetting retail workers -- and it may not even make a difference in boosting sales.
Black Friday Sales: Your Big Guide to Deals, Stores and Times
Black Friday sales circulars for several major retailers are already out online, and the deals look tempting. And at some chains, you won't even have to wait until Friday. We'll update as we learn more, but here's the scoop on the deals and sale times that we know so far.
Walmart's Black Friday 2012 Will Start at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving
Black Friday sales have been starting earlier and earlier, and now, Walmart is pushing the retail craziness even further: It will open its doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, before the evening's football game between the Jets and the Patriots even kicks off.
Toys R Us Waives Fee for Layaway Program
Toys R Us is making it easier for shoppers to use its layaway program ahead of the crucial holiday season, waiving its service fee and minimum purchase requirement beginning Tuesday.
Sears to Spin Off Hometown, Outlet Stores
Sears is moving forward with plans to spin off its Hometown and Outlet stores as well as some hardware stores into a separate publicly traded company. Sears, which also owns Kmart, has looked at spinoffs and real estate sales to restore profitability and boost shareholder confidence.
The Biggest Thing on Sale at Sears? Pieces of Sears
Sear announced this week that it will divest itself of more than 1,000 Hometown and Outlet stores, its latest move to find profits in spin offs. But does Sears have anything left that anyone wants to buy other than pieces of its business?
Sears Spinning Off Some Stores into Separate Company
Sears, which is trying to turn around its business and spruce up its image, is preparing to spin off its Hometown and Outlet stores as well as some hardware stores into a separate publicly traded company.
Can't Afford a Vacation Now? Sears Offers Getaways on Layaway
Store layaway programs made a comeback last holiday season, with gift-buyers flocking back to installment payment plans. Now, Sears is expanding the concept by letting consumers put vacations on layaway, too.
Hottest Mother's Day Gifts Revealed: 7 Big Chains Tell All
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you still need gift ideas, look no further: We've surveyed some of the top retailers to find out what's selling this year.
Online 'In Crowd': Why Big Retail Is Courting Small Fashion Blogs
The stores that dress the nation are turning to fashion blogs for direction on styles and trends -- and even marketing partnerships -- as they work to lure in today's digitally-connected shoppers.
Corporate Tax Kickbacks: Busting Our Budgets, State By State
Federal tax giveaways to industries have received much criticism, but the relocation incentives offered by states may be the most counterproductive of all corporate subsidies.
Stock Market Savvy: 5 Investing Lessons from 2012's First Quarter
Every bullish run or bearish retreat offers a great opportunity to learn something about the market and the publicly traded companies that make it happen. So what did 2012's monstrously good first quarter teach the observant investor?
6 Stocks and 1 Fund That Have Already Doubled This Year
The S&P 500 soared 12% during the first three months of 2012, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq managed a nearly 19% spurt. Those are good numbers even for a whole year -- but these seven investments beat the indexes by huge margins.
Best Buy's Turnaround Plan Sends Retailer In the Wrong Direction
Best Buy has a big plan to cut its costs and regain its focus: closing stores, laying off employees, shifting its focus to smartphones and mobile gadgets, and slimming down margins. Only problem is, none of that is going to save it.
Easter Spending to Rise as Spring Fashions, Candy Lure Shoppers
It'll be a good Easter for sellers of brightly colored outfits and chocolate bunnies: Americans are expected to shell out 11% more for the holiday this year.
Shop 'Til It Drops: Take a Virtual Tour of a Dead Mall
First, U.S. manufacturing collapsed under the pressure from low-wage labor overseas, leaving the landscape dotted with hollowed-out plants and gutted factories. Now, assailed factors from online shopping to the economic downturn, the retail sector is suffering too, bequeathing us an increasing number of abandoned -- some say dead -- malls.
Retail Stocks Are a Bad Buy: Why the Rally Won't Last
The stock market's recent bounce has a lot of folks looking for a piece of the action. And with retail stocks shooting up faster than average, but still cheaper than a year ago, some analysts say now's the time to buy them. They're wrong. Here's why:
Department Stores Reveal Top Selling Valentine's Gifts
If you've been dilly-dallying on buying something for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, don't worry: Now that retailers know what the best-selling items are for the lovers' holiday this year, we can pass that information on to you.
The S&P 500's 10 Best Performers of 2012 (So Far)
The S&P 500 gained 4.4% in January, the biggest increase for that month in 15 years. But the 10 best performers in the index had share gains for the month from 27% to a whopping 77%. Which are these rising stars -- and which might have more room to rise? Read on:
Can 'The All American Store' Reverse Our Walmartization?
Walmart's conquest of of America embodies a decades-long drive toward the lowest common denominator, off-shoring jobs, maximizing profits and reducing quality. But is it a trend we can reverse? Deep in the heart of Ohio, a new store aims to try.