The US Commerce Department said retail sales rose 1.4% in October, surpassing the forecast 0.9% increase, but look for downbeat numbers when Sears Holdings (SHLD) reports third-quarter earnings Thurs

With over 16,000 store locations worldwide and 176,000 employees whipping up double tall lattes, the Starbucks (SBUX) franchise doesn't seem like it ever had to struggle from humble roots. Its quick

“I’m just a banker doing God’s work.”-- Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs (GS) “Life is too short to have anything but delusional notions about yourself.”-- Ge

The holidays are just around the corner and many retailers are hoping that consumers will feel a little more jovial (and a little more like spending) as the weather gets colder.A startlingly high une

If you were asked to name the best overall retailer of all time, which company would you go with? Macy’s (M)? JC Penney (JCP)? Or perhaps you’d fancy online retailer Amazon (AMZN), which

The United States, long an exporter of popular culture, may be exporting obesity to Europe, Asia, and Africa thanks to strong fast-food sales led by McDonald’s (MCD).The World Health Organizati

It’s been quite some time since I remember opening up a Starbucks (SBUX) quarterly report with a smile. Thankfully last week’s fourth-quarter results finally helped me regain some of my f

Even though we brace for the worst, when the unemployment numbers are announced each month, it’s hard not to be shocked. With the news on Friday that the unemployment rate is now at 10.2%, no o

The coffee king will provide a window into the consumer’s mind when it announces earnings later today. Analysts expect Starbucks (SBUX) to report fourth-quarter earnings of about $0.21 per shar

Preparing itself for the moment when its DVD inventory is obsolete, Best Buy (BBY) has delved into the world of digital downloads. The retailer has teamed up with software company Sonic Solutions (SN