For U.S. retailers, the phrase "challenging environment" has become a shared refrain for one of the toughest quarters in decades. And merchants expect the climate to remain rough for the rest of the year as higher gas and food costs as well as slumping home prices weigh on shoppers. ...more

May 21, 2008

President Bush, acknowledging the economic "tough times" for many Americans, said Monday that he remains opposed to any homeowner rescue legislation that would be a bailout for lenders. ...more

May 20, 2008

Retailers from Wal-Mart to RadioShack Corp. are offering special discounts to draw in consumers and persuade them to spend some or all of their economic stimulus checks, the first wave of which were deposited into bank accounts this week. ...more

May 3, 2008

Major retailers' cautious ordering of goods is expected to salvage what could have been dismal fourth-quarter profit, but the 2008 outlook looks more sobering. While stores can manage how much merchandise they order, they can't direct consumer spending - which is on the skids. ...more

February 15, 2008

Here's a sign of how shaky the economy has become: Wal-Mart says its shoppers are redeeming their holiday gift cards for basic items - pasta sauce, diapers, laundry detergent - instead of iPods or DVDs. ...more

February 7, 2008

The nation's major retailers are slated to report tepid sales gains for December today, likely making the holiday shopping season the weakest since 2002. ...more

January 10, 2008

Just weeks ago, the holiday shopping season seemed headed for disaster. But in the waning hours before Christmas, the nation's retailers got their wish - a last-minute surge of shopping that helped meet their modest sales goals, according to data released late Monday by research firm ShopperTrak RCT Corp. ...more

December 25, 2007

In a place where there's few things for children to do, the Children's Museum of the Highlands is special. But the museum is more than just easily accessible to county residents. It's fun, it's educational and it's affordable. Those who've got children in the family have had to have made at least one trip to the museum, and many leave its doors with children who'd rather camp at the museum for life. This popular destination now wants to be bigger and better and needs the community's help to expand. Museum director Linda Crowder, who unveiled plans Wednesday, said the museum is seeking to build a second floor, which will double its space. ...more

December 14, 2007

The nation's retailers had a robust start to the holiday shopping season, according to results announced Saturday by a national research group that tracks sales at retail outlets. ...more

November 25, 2007