Retail
CEO has J. C. Penney primed for holiday retail battle
NEW YORK — This holiday season, J. C. Penney CEO and Chairman Myron E. Ullman III is armed with a lineup of exclusive fashion brands he helped bring to the department store chain, and he’s ready to battle key rivals like Macy’s. (Updated: 11/20/09 6:50 AM )
Parent of Quality Markets files for bankruptcy
Penn Traffic, parent company of Quality Markets grocery stores, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday for the third time in a decade. (Updated: 11/20/09 8:05 AM )
Leggo my Eggos? Not if you can’t find them
ATLANTA — Dear Kellogg: Leggo my Eggo! (Updated: 11/19/09 7:07 AM )
Former Spencerport IGA will become Tops Market
Tops Friendly Markets is renovating a former IGA supermarket in Spencerport into a new Tops store, marking the first new store to open since the Amherst-based chain was bought from Dutch food giant Royal Ahold. (Updated: 11/19/09 7:07 AM )
J. C. Penney to kill ‘big book’
PLANO, Texas (AP)—J. C. Penney will stop publishing its twice-yearly “big book” catalogs, now that customers increasingly shop online. (Updated: 11/19/09 7:07 AM )
Some toys found with high levels of lead
WASHINGTON — Children’s toys carrying the Barbie and Disney logos have turned up with high levels of lead in them, according to a California- based advocacy group—a finding that may give consumers pause as they shop for the holiday season. (Updated: 11/18/09 7:39 AM )
Rebound in auto sales sparks jump in retail sales for October
WASHINGTON — Retail sales rose more than expected in October due largely to a big rebound in auto sales. But broader consumer spending remains under pressure, raising questions about the durability of the recovery. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:48 AM )
Fed backs new rules on gift card abuses
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve on Monday proposed new rules to protect consumers from unexpected costs or restrictions on gift cards. (Updated: 11/17/09 6:48 AM )
Product Recalls / Where to go, what to do
Cambridge Flatware (Updated: 11/16/09 7:08 AM )
Make it last and save
Taking the time to do a little preventive maintenance—before things get stained, scratched, frayed, worn out or broken—is like buying an insurance policy for everything in your house. And it doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. Shop- Smart, the shopping magazine published by Consumer Reports, recently offered cleaning, storing and maintenance tips to keep televisions, computers, clothes, kitchen gear and appliances looking and working like new a little longer. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:08 AM )
Discount Diva: Products made with me in mind
As Thanksgiving nears and I sit back to count my blessings, I can’t help but notice that— among the friends and family, hearth and home—several consumer products make the list. There are just so many little material things to be grateful for. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:43 AM )
Doomsday tale ‘2012’ is big winner at box office
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Doom spelled dollars at the box office as the global-disaster tale “2012” opened at No. 1 domestically with $65 million and pulled in $225 million worldwide. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
This week in business...
NEW YORK (AP)—This week brings reports including readings on retail sales, manufacturing, housing starts and inflation. The Labor Department also provides its weekly look at unemployment benefits claims. (Updated: 11/16/09 7:07 AM )
Purchases hint at low holiday sales
NEW YORK — Shoppers’ focus on staples such as socks and underwear is driving murky holiday outlooks at Walmart and Kohl’s, even as both posted higher third-quarter earnings Thursday. (Updated: 11/13/09 6:46 AM )
GM looking to Chevrolet Cruze, Buick Regal to turn sales around
DETROIT — Two General Motors cars due in showrooms next year must be hits to help the automaker turn around sales and pay back its big debt to U. S. taxpayers. (Updated: 11/12/09 7:09 AM )