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.

Most forecasts expect the month will show 3% growth or better over the same time last year when major merchants report their tallies on Thursday. One thing seems clear: Higher-end households were more willing to spend than lower- and middle-income ones.

Retailers are getting back to business after the recession and showing stronger earnings, making them attractive targets for private equity investors -- and each other.

J.C. Penney hasn't even launched its new logo yet, but the critics aren't wasting any time in trashing it. Why do companies repackage themselves -- and what happens when customers don't like the new look? Just ask Gap or Tropicana, both of which quickly reverted to what they had previously.

Retailers forecast that 2011 will be a year spent dealing with inflation, expanding stores and trying to wean shoppers off their markdown habit. Faced with rising costs that are pushing their prices higher, merchants say they have to focus on growing sales, regardless of the economic pressures.

January's retail and food services sales rose a sharp 7.8% from January 2010 and 0.3% from December. For the most part, merchants and manufacturers worked to line up wares that consumers want at prices that attract those who are now more frugal.

After a holiday season that marked a return to some form of normalcy, merchants are bracing for a year of mild sales growth and more stable operations. Whether that momentum holds is an open question, given the state of the housing and job markets.

Much to retailers' surprise, old man winter didn't deter consumers from the post-holiday clearance sales. Merchants posted better-than-expected January results despite the dreadful weather that had caused many analysts to cool their forecasts.

Record snowfalls across the country dampened hopes of retailers for a strong end to the fiscal year. Many are expecting disappointment when major retailers report January sales on Thursday. The weather slowed what was already a weak trend.