Retail | featured news

Retail sales were choppy in June as consumers stuck to their thrifty ways.

Borders Group launched an e-bookstore powered by Kobo Inc., the Canadian e-book retailer in which Borders owns an investment stake.

Wal-Mart said its chief merchandising officer John Fleming is resigning, adding to changes in the top ranks of the retailer.

Spending fell 1.2%, the biggest dip in eight months. Auto sales were down 1.7%. Retail sales plunged in May by the largest amount in eight months as consumers slashed spending on everything from cars to clothing.

The retailer is joining with a Web-based university to give employees tuition reductions and credits from work.

Retailers are reporting tepid business in May after cool weather and fresh concerns about the economy had shoppers cutting spending on clothing and other nonessentials.

A new program from the warehouse chain offers different bargains to each member, based on their buying history.

Toys "R" Us announced plans to sell up to an estimated $800 million in stock through an initial public offering, the latest in a series of private-equity deals.

Since edging out WalMart in 2008 to become the top music retailer, Apple has increased its lead with iTunes and is now outselling both Walmart and second place BestBuy combined, while handling more than half of all digital music sales in the US.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says its first-quarter net income rose 10 percent as the world's largest retailer benefited from cost-cutting.