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Retail sales rose a smidgen in August, but some see warning signs

Sep 15, 2022
Sales rose 0.3% last month, but there are signs some consumers are pulling back on big-ticket items, excluding cars.
In August, retail sales rose by 0.3%. Some of that was likely due to consumers stocking up on back-to-school items.
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Gun retailers get a unique merchant code that could help flag suspicious sales

Sep 12, 2022
The financial services industry has a long history of spotting indicators of illegal activity in legal transactions.
Introducing a unique merchant code for gun retailers could help the financial services industry spot suspicious activity.
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With more products on sale, consumers are ready to buy

Aug 25, 2022
Retailers are trying to get rid of excess inventory by marking down certain products. That's likely to lure shoppers.
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From toys to custom bikes, these small businesses are still seeing shipment delays

Aug 22, 2022
Supply chain problems remain an obstacle as demand picks up.
A shopper on a stroll in San Francisco. Retailers have begun preparing for the holidays, but supplies of some items are uncertain.
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How remote work is affecting a small business in a Seattle office district

Jul 22, 2022
The rise of work from home means that far fewer people are coming into Velouria, a boutique Cat Wilcox co-owns.
There's much less activity in the area around Cat Wilcox's shop, Velouria. Consequently, in-person shopping is down.
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As inflation rises, this Michigan business owner is taking a chance on a second store

Jul 6, 2022
"I'm taking a very, very big risk opening another retail location," says Annie Lang Hartman, owner of the Michigan retail brand Wild Lettie.
Annie Lang Hartman has opened a second retail store, above, in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
Courtesy Annie Lang Hartman

Current economic moment could spell "catastrophe for retailers"

Jul 1, 2022
With rising prices, ongoing supply chain issues and the wrong inventory, it's a rough time to be a big-box store.
Kohl's had been in negotiations to be bought by the Franchise Group but decided to end those talks. It's part of an industry that's struggling with difficult conditions.
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For public good, not for profit.

Retail sales dip may be lined with silver

Jun 15, 2022
The slight decline from April to May could indicate a slowing economy — which the Federal Reserve is hoping for.
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Some prices take longer than others to drop — and longer than inflation

Jun 13, 2022
Some essentials — notably food — may may maintain their price strength. Appliances and furniture may come down quicker.
Meat prices have climbed 14% from a year ago, and it may take a while for those price gains to slow.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Retailers have an inventory problem as lockdown lifestyle fades

Jun 7, 2022
As inflation hits and consumers abandon pandemic spending habits, Target and others have the wrong kind of stuff on their hands.
The home goods section at a Target store. Now that consumers are getting out and about, stores are left with too much inventory.
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