Soft retail sales may signal recession
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U.S. retail sales fell unexpectedly in December to close out the weakest year at the cash register since 2002, data showed on Tuesday, the strongest signal yet that the economy may be sliding into recession under the weight of a housing and credit crisis.
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Crucial US holiday sales launched with a flop, retailers reported.
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U.S. retail sales in 2008 are forecast to rise at their slowest pace in six years as consumers battle higher energy costs, fallout from the housing slump and sluggish employment and income growth, the National Retail Federation forecast on Monday.
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The nationâs retailers wrapped up the weakest sales year since 2002, according to a gloomy report that fanned fears of a recession.
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The big three in discount retailers look like a good bet in a slowing economy.
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Recession talk sparked Tuesday's sell-off, and there may be little reason for optimism a day later.
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Investors may frown as a sluggish holiday season has retailers slashing prices.
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DANA POINT, California  - Apparel retailers may be facing a doom-and-gloom sales environment in the near future, but many are anxious to prove to a skeptical marketplace they have got what it takes to be recession-proof.
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Retailers experience a big bump following five weeks of slow sales, according to a report.
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The nation's retailers had a slow start to the spring season as unseasonably cold weather in February chilled demand for lightweight apparel and left merchants with disappointing sales. The slowing economy, particularly the weakening housing market, could challenge shoppers in the months ahead.
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Savvy investors can find retail bargains -- but not everything's on sale.
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NEW YORK -- The first holiday shopping weekend of the year may have started with a bang, but it ended with a whimper, evidence from two groups that track sales showed yesterday.
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US retail chains reported May sales gains as warmer weather helped them rebound from a dismal April, but results were weaker than a year ago, signaling to some that rising gas prices and a slowing housing market are taking their toll.
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Will the economy make a soft landing, or will it hit the ground hard?
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Business & money: Official data reveals a worse-than-expected fall in retail sales last month
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A slew of apparel and consumer goods  retailers on Thursday posted same-store sales that beat analyst  forecasts, but there were troubling signs that higher consumer  prices and inflation could crimp future growth.
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Itâsa good time to sell champagne and a bad time to sell soda pop. Luxury retailers had strong sales in October while discounters like Wal-Mart Stores Inc.