Retail | MyFOX Spokane

US jobless claims jump to highest level in 6 weeks

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 16th

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABERAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose 32,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 360,000, the most since late March. The jump came a week after applications had reached a five-year low. The less volatile four-week

Futures fluctuate on mixed signals from retail

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 16th

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stock futures fluctuated Thursday on a bevy of economic data that sent mixed signals about hiring, construction, jobs and the mindset of the American consumer. Dow Jones industrial futures slipped 6 points to 15,229. The broader S&P futures lost 2.1 points to hit 1,652.20.

Wal-Mart's 1Q profit, sales disappoint

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 16th

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - The first few months of the year were tough for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The world's largest retailer reported Thursday that its first-quarter profit edged up just slightly, and the company struggled with a sales slump in its namesake

AP PHOTOS: Path to legal pot a long, wild trip

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 16th

SEATTLE (AP) - It's one thing to legalize marijuana. It's another to figure out how to sell it, grow it, regulate it, test it and tax it. Voters in Washington state and Colorado made pot use for adults over 21 legal last fall, but that was just the first step. On Thursday, Washington

Wash. state releases draft rules for legal pot

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 16th

By GENE JOHNSONAssociated Press SEATTLE (AP) - Officials in Washington state took their first stab at setting rules for the state's new marijuana industry Thursday, nearly eight months after voters here legalized pot for adults. Among the preliminary regulations: They want to track marijuana

Trade group slams safety pact for Bangladesh

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 16th

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - The largest U.S. retail-industry group on Wednesday criticized an international pact aimed at improving factory conditions in Bangladesh's garment industry, saying it was a "one-size-fits-all" approach promoted by special interests. The

Macy's 1Q profit rises 20 pct on solid sales

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 15th

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Macy's Inc. is reporting a 20 percent increase in first-quarter profit as the department store chain saw solid sales despite cool temperatures that dampened shoppers' appetite for spring clothes. The company, which also operates the

Markets climb, led by small-company stocks

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 14th

By STEVE ROTHWELLAP Markets Writer NEW YORK (AP) - The prospect of ongoing stimulus from the Federal Reserve and rising optimism among small business owners helped push stocks back to record levels. Small business owners were slightly more optimistic in April, according to a survey released Tuesday

Benetton agrees to sign Bangladesh safety pact

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 14th

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Benetton has become the latest global retailer to agree to sign a one-of-a-kind pact to improve safety at Bangladesh factories following a building collapse that killed more than 1,100 workers in the country last month. The move, announced by

Chains grapple with how to improve safety

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 14th

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIOAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) - While several more global clothing chains on Tuesday were announcing that they agreed to a historic pact to improve factory conditions in Bangladesh, U.S. retailers were scrambling to come up with their own safety plans. A total of more than