How October sales at 30 chains compared with October 2008:

Summary of sales at stores open at least a year in October for discount chains, with percentage increase or decrease over the same month last year.

Discount retailer BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. said Thursday its sales at stores open at least a year fell 1.1 percent in October, citing a decline in gasoline sales.

An outbreak of food-borne illness, linked to dangerous bacteria in ground beef, sickened 28 people and may have caused two deaths in the U.S. Northeast, health officials said on Monday.

With many families suddenly struggling to feed themselves, the big warehouse clubs known for king-size packages of steak and jumbo boxes of Cheerios are increasingly competing with grocery stores for the 36 million Americans now on food stamps.

Most economists think the recession is over, but they say the jobless rate will keep rising until at least next summer as the economy struggles.

The man accused of masterminding the largest identity theft in U.S. history agreed to plead guilty to related charges, according to court papers filed in Boston federal court Friday.

Retailers reported disappointing sales in July, a sign that consumers are continuing to watch their spending carefully and hunting for the best bargains.

The recession steered a new type of customer to Wal-Mart — deeper in the pockets and suddenly looking for bargains.

Stocks ended lower Wednesday as banks and techs pulled back and comments from the Fed poured water on the flicker of optimism.

Stocks pared their gains Wednesday as banks pulled back but investors remained hopeful that the worst may be over for the economy.

Stocks shot out of the gate Wednesday as banks rallied after Bank of America moved to boost capital and investors were hopeful that the worst may be over for the economy.

Stock index futures pointed a higher open Wednesday as investors looked for insight on the Federal Reserve's recovery strategy and Bank of America moved to boost capital.