ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

AP Retail Writer

A tale of two retailers: Target reports sluggish spending while Walmart has a stellar quarter

Target has reported sluggish sales and slumping profits in the fiscal third quarter as inflation-weary customers curtailed their spending on apparel and other non-essential items.

Walmart heads into official start of holiday season with strong momentum after robust 3Q results

Walmart ratcheted up sales and profits again in the third quarter with its comparatively low prices proving a powerful draw for shoppers seeking to cut spending where they could. The nation’s largest retailer raised its outlook for the year as well.

Grocery chains vie for a place on Thanksgiving tables with turkey dinner deals and store brands

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, food retailers are trying to tempt Americans who haven’t recovered from recent price inflation.

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend

Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth.

Steve Madden to cut goods imported from China by up to 45% as it prepares for Trump’s tariff pledge

Shoe brand Steve Madden will be cutting the goods that it imports from China by as much as 45% next year as it prepares for the return of President-elect Donald Trump who has pledged to slap steep tariffs across the board on imports from other countries.

Bernie Marcus, The Home Depot co-founder and billionaire philanthropist, dies at 95

Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, the co-founder of The Home Depot, a billionaire philanthropist, and a big Republican donor, has died. He was 95. Marcus died Monday in Boca Raton, Florida, surrounded by family, according to a Home Depot spokesperson.

A TV as big as a bed? With the holidays approaching, stores stock more supersize sets

For some television viewers, size apparently does matter. Forget the 65-inch TVs that were considered bigger than average just a few years ago.

Tapestry, Capri file notice to appeal court decision blocking their $8.5 billion merger

Tapestry and Capri Holdings have filed their notice to jointly appeal the decision by a U.S. District judge to temporarily halt the merger between the makers of Coach and Michael Kors handbags, according to a court filing Monday.

American Airlines tests boarding technology that audibly shames line cutters

American Airlines is testing a new technology at three airports across the country during the boarding process that aims to cut down on passengers who try to jump the line.

Merger of handbag makers Tapestry, Capri halted as judge sides with FTC in antitrust case

A U.S. District judge has halted the merger between makers of Coach and Michael Kors handbags, saying it would reduce competition and hurt consumers. In her ruling Thursday, U.S.

Will US convenience stores find the secret to selling better food?

Americans who think of petrified hot dogs, frozen burritos and salty snacks when they imagine getting food at a gas station or truck stop may be pleasantly surprised during their next road trip: U.S. convenience stores are offering them more and better — though not necessarily healthier — choices.

Walmart reaches settlement deal for shareholder lawsuits over its handling of opioids

Walmart says it has reached a proposed settlement pact related to three lawsuits filed by shareholders on behalf of the company over the handling of prescription opioids.

US shoppers spent more at retailers last month in latest sign consumers are driving growth

Americans stepped up their purchases at retailers last month as low unemployment, steady pay gains and rising stock and home values helped sustain their willingness to spend despite higher prices.

US retail trade group expects holiday season sales to grow more slowly

The largest retail trade group in the United States says it expects consumers to spend more during the upcoming holiday season but the growth in sales to be slower than last year due to concerns over persistent inflation and prices.

Eggnog before Thanksgiving? Shoppers eager for a new season scramble retail calendars

Inflationary-weary shoppers still may wait until the first weather snap to get a basic sweater. But when it comes to seasonal items, a growing number of consumers are increasingly wanting to jump on scents and flavors from Halloween to Christmas earlier and earlier.

The US could have seen shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike had dragged on

The union representing striking U.S. dockworkers has reached a deal to suspend the strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

Walmart employees to get expanded cancer treatment options with the Mayo Clinic

Walmart’s employees and their dependents are being offered expanded cancer treatment with doctors at the Mayo Clinic through the retailer’s insurance coverage.

Nike’s quarterly sales and profits slump as it faces shoppers’ sluggish demand for its products

Nike has reported a slump in sales and profits for its fiscal first quarter as the sportswear giant wrestles with shoppers’ sluggish demand for new sneaker models.

Are digital tools a way for companies to retain hourly workers?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resetting of the economy that followed it made hourly workers more aware of their value. Some experts think employers can expect to field demands for flexible hours and other incentives even as the labor market weakens.

The US could see shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike drags on

U.S. ports from Maine to Texas are closed due to a strike by the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers.

Kmart’s blue light fades to black with the shuttering of its last full-scale US store

Biden administration seeks to ban Chinese, Russian tech in US autonomous vehicles

The U.S. Commerce Department is seeking a ban on the sale of connected and autonomous vehicles in the U.S. that are equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware with the stated goal of protecting national security and U.S. drivers.

US retail sales ticked up last month in sign of ongoing consumer resilience

Americans spent a bit more at retailers last month, providing a small boost to the economy just as the Federal Reserve considers how much to cut its key interest rate.

Party of one: Restaurants are catering to a growing number of solo diners

A growing number of restaurant customers are choosing to eat alone. Restaurant reservation site OpenTable says solo dining reservations in the U.S. increased 29% over the last two years. They’re up 18% this year in Germany.

Best Buy reports another drop in quarterly sales amid cautious buying but business is stabilizing

Best Buy, the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain, reported another quarterly drop in sales due to Americans pulling back on purchases of appliances and consumer-electronics gadgets to focus on essentials.

Macy’s swings to a second quarter profit, but sales surprisingly weak as customers grow cautious

Macy’s swung back to a profit in its second quarter but suffered yet another sales decline as inflationary weary shoppers rein in spending, with their focus increasingly on buying the essentials.

A tale of two retailers: Target reverses sales slump while Macy’s reports another quarterly decline

Grocery aisle deals for cash-strapped customers and an emphasis on affordable but stylish clothes has helped Target reverse a year-long sales slump.

US shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices

Americans stepped up spending at retailers last month by the most in a year and a half, easing concerns that the economy might be weakening under the pressure of higher prices and elevated interest rates.

Walmart grows more optimistic about 2024 as bargains prove a powerful lure for the inflation weary

Walmart had another quarter of strong sales that topped almost all expectations with its comparatively low prices proving a powerful draw for millions who have struggled with rising costs for housing, groceries and almost everything else.

Mini farm animals are adorable. There’s also a growing demand for them

Americans are showing more interest in owning miniature cows, miniature goats, miniature donkeys and other diminutive farm animals.