Retail | featured news

Retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.1% in July despite the debut of the government's "cash for clunkers" program. Separately, weekly jobless claims rose a bit.

Disappointing performance underscores concerns about the timing and durability of a recovery.

Wal-Mart's earnings were flat on lower same-store sales. The retail giant raised the low end of its fiscal-year outlook and plans to speed up cost-cutting measures.

Barclays said first-half net profit rose 9.9% as investment-banking fees and trading gains offset weaker performance in its retail arm, and said it expects the rest of the year to be challenging.

Amazon says it has reached an agreement to purchase online shoe retailer Zappos.com.

Microsoft Corp.'s chief operating officer says the software maker is planning to open retail stores "right next door to Apple" in the fall.