retail sales

Regional economy continues to expand slowly

Boston, MA - The New England economy continued to expand in recent weeks, but signs of slowing appeared as some companies reported mixed results and most remained cautious in hiring, according to a Federal Reserve survey released today. Read more...

Retail sales up at fastest rate in three years

London, UK - Retail sales grew at their fastest pace in three years in July, and retailers were their most upbeat in six years about the prospects for August, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday. Read more...

Retailers' back-to-school assignment: Boost sales

Retailers are preparing for this year’s back-to-school shopping season as if it’s a test they can’t afford to fail.

While the two leading retail trade groups are forecasting pent-up demand and a recovering economy will let stores earn easy A’s this year, retailers aren’t taking anything for granted. They’re worried the still-skittish American consumer could hit them with some surprises if they don’t do their homework. Read more...

Stores push summertime 'Christmas' sales

New York, NY — Santa in the summer?

Retailers are pumping still more energy this year into trying to get shoppers to loosen their purse strings early for Christmas with sparkly ornaments, holiday music and special prices. In July. Read more...

Marblehead Businesses Support Sales Tax Holiday

Marblehead, MA — Local business owners are hoping to see the benefit of a sales tax holiday, which would suspend the 6.25 percent state sales tax on goods and services up to $2,500 the weekend of August 14 and 15.

A bill to bring back the sales tax holiday was approved last week by the state House of Representatives, although passage of the legislation through the Senate is uncertain at this point. Read more...

Sales tax, retail sales show Victoria on an upswing

From purses to planters, boots to boats, Victoria boasts a variety of retail shops to cater to Crossroads residents. And it appears those residents are taking advantage of those offerings.

As the national economy works to right itself, Victoria's retail industry has seen an upswing.

2010 holidays to be kinder to retail

Reuters — U.S. retailers might get a gift from consumers this year: A boring but steady holiday season with a gentle uptick in sales, according to industry experts at the Reuters Consumer and Retail Summit. Read more...

Analysis: Retailers in slow lane to mobility

Reuters - When pop icon Britney Spears tweeted a sneak-peak picture of a new outfit from her line for the Candie's brand, the fashions swiftly became a top seller at department store Kohl's Corp (KSS.N). Read more...

Mass. tops US in retail revival

Massachusetts is outpacing the rest of the country in attracting businesses to fill large vacant retail spaces, fueling optimism that the state’s economic recovery is gaining momentum.

Merchants have signed leases for more than half of the roughly 2 million square feet abandoned by struggling and bankrupt chains such as Circuit City, Linens ‘N Things, and CompUSA, according to local data provided by several real estate brokers. Read more...

Small businesses hang on in an Economic Downturn

John Yeung has worked as a pharmacist for a big-name drug store chain.

Which is why he decided -- despite the tough economic times -- to open his own small business, Main Street Pharmacy in Danbury.

"I like the independence,'' he said. Read more...