The outlook for the back-to-school shopping season seemed grim Thursday, as retailers' July sales reports showed an increasing shift toward buying necessities such as food and household supplies at discounters and away from discretionary spending on clothing. ...more

August 8, 2008

Shoppers, enticed by heavy discounts and armed with rebate checks, spent freely in June, helping to lift retailers' sales. The outlook for the back-to-school season remains tough, though, as consumers confront high gas and food prices, a slumping housing market and tighter credit. ...more

July 11, 2008

If anyone is looking for signs that we may be headed into a recession, look no further than the dismal sales results turned in by the nation's retailers in December. ...more

January 11, 2008