Poor December at Retailers; Most Report Drops in Sales
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The weakest holiday shopping season in five years ended dismally for most retailers, stoking fears that the economy is tipping into a recession.
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U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday,  after data indicated that the critical holiday shopping season  got off to a sluggish start for retailers.
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Major automakers reported lower U.S.  sales for December led by a 9 percent slide at Ford Motor Co as  the industry closed out its weakest year in over a decade and  faced the prospect of deeper declines in 2008.
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Sales at U.S. retailers fell 0.4 percent in December and were less vigorous in November than previously thought, according to a government report on Tuesday that implied costlier energy and slumping housing prices were taking a toll on consumers.
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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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Marks & Spencer reports a poor performance over the Christmas trading period, with like-for-like sales down 5.6% on the year.
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Sales of new single-family homes fell 4.7 percent in December while the median sales price fell 10.9 percent to $219,200 from November, according to a government report
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NEW YORK (Billboard) - Just when it seemed erosion of music sales during the holiday season couldn't get worse, December snowstorms compounded the retail industry's misery.
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Malls were open around the clock and stores came through with huge discounts - but the last weekend before Christmas didn't do the trick, analysts said.
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Retailers may be in for a blue  Christmas this year as worries about soaring energy prices,  consumers' cost-consciousness and a warmer December than last  year make for lackluster holiday sales, retail analysts said.
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Women&#39;s clothing retailer Christopher &amp; Banks Corp. said Thursday that sales at stores open at least one year, or same-store sales, declined 7 percent during the month of December.
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LONDON  - A sharp drop in spending by U.S. tourists contributed to one of the worst Christmas sales periods for London's retailers, an industry body said 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 nation's retailers slashed prices further Wednesday in hopes that a post-Christmas shopping rush will salvage holiday sales that, so far, have fallen below even modest expectations
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The nationâs retailers had a disappointing start to the holiday season, reporting sluggish sales for November after a surge in Thanksgiving weekend business failed to materialize.
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Retail sales fell 0.3 percent in January &#151; the weakest showing in five months &#151; as a big drop in demand for cars offset strength at clothing and department stores. Spending was powered mostly by consumers anxious to use holiday gift cards.
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Stocks opened lower on Thursday after major retailers reported anemic sales growth in December, adding to worries about the economy.