Retail

US service firms grow more slowly, hiring weakens

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. service companies grew more slowly in March, while private employers pulled back on hiring, reports Wednesday showed. The declines suggest businesses may have grown more cautious last month after federal spending cuts took effect.

Ga. city council votes to require gun ownership

By KATE BRUMBACKAssociated Press NELSON, Ga. (AP) - Backers of a newly adopted ordinance requiring gun ownership in a small north Georgia town acknowledge they were largely seeking to make a point about gun rights. The ordinance in the city of Nelson - population 1,300 - was approved Monday night

How to make more money? Pay your employees more

By Jessica Stillman You're in business to make a profit and need to invest in your company so it survives for the long haul. In a perfect world, generous wages for every member of your team would be great, but here in the real world, sometimes you need to pay less than you'd like to improve

Is home where the profit is?

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - J.C. Penney is honing in on its home department as part of a bigger plan to turn its stores into mini-malls of sorts. The struggling department-store chain is unveiling revamped home areas within its stores that feature 20 boutiques that