A new report by the consumer-interest nonprofit Public Citizen calls out major retailers for donating to trade groups and campaigns supporting harsher shoplifting penalties in at least 18 states.

But U.S. shoppers spent more prudently in August and retail sales grew a tepid 0.6% from July, after extra federal jobless benefits expired and families faced a confusing back-to-school season.

Preparing for both in-person and virtual learning has families budgeting for new school supplies like masks and bleach wipes as well as bigger purchases like laptops, speakers, desks and chairs.

People particularly stocked up on electronics and appliances, took more trips with stops at gas stations, and cautiously went out to eat as more stores and restaurants reopened.

The parent company Tailored Brands earlier said it would close up to 500 stores and cut 20% of corporate jobs. It's joined in pandemic bankruptcy by rival Brooks Brothers and a growing list of others.

The retailer was acquired in 2019 by online clothing-rental startup called Le Tote. It joins a cascade of bankruptcies by major apparel stores, triggered by the doldrums of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ascena Retail Group is the latest clothing seller to try a restructuring during the pandemic when demand has cratered. The firm, which also owns Lane Bryant and Justice, will close some stores.

Stores, supermarkets and gas stations are grappling with low supplies of pocket change. The national shortage is due in part to people going out less to spend money during the pandemic.

U.S. stores and restaurants got a boost in June as retail sales jumped 7.5%. Spending on clothes doubled. But this was before a new surge in the coronavirus prompted renewed shutdowns in some states.

Walmart and Sam's Club, as well as Kroger, join a growing list of retailers making masks mandatory in stores. The National Retail Federation is urging all stores to adopt the same policy.

Macon’s Target store is closed. When Target announced it was closing a dozen stores across the country, people in Macon were disappointed to learn the...

Retail stores are disappearing, but the economy is not the bad guy. Rising pressure from online shopping is causing brick and mortar stores to file for...