After showing signs of improvement in early fall, sales of clothing and luxury goods weakened a bit the first half of November, compared with a year ago, when stores pulled shoppers in with massive discounts, figures released Tuesday show.

The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Tuesday promised swift action to get dangerous products off the market, acknowledging that the agency didn't move quickly enough on a record recall of more than 2 million cribs linked to four deaths.

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - Eco-friendly managers and staff are the key to making a retailer go green, according to a study listing 15 of the world's top eco-friendly retailers in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

When the holiday shopping season kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened, but even more bargain-hungry customers.

By Leah Schnurr

By Jessica Wohl

Black Friday deals may not be as good as they once were as the day evolves into more of a marketing event, but that doesn't stop some shoppers from venturing out.

The recession has taught retailers and consumers new lessons about the art of a deal. In the process, Black Friday, the traditional first day of the holiday shopping season, has lost some of its luster.

It's easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding Black Friday, but to truly get the best deals, keep these retail secrets in mind.

With nightmares of Christmas 2008 markdowns dancing in their heads, retailers have slashed inventories to some of the leanest levels in recent memory.

Although consumers are mired in the deepest recession in decades, there are plenty of reasons to believe that this holiday season will not be as bad for retailers as last year.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc <WMT.N>, which has already cut prices on everything from toys to turkeys to TVs to win holiday shoppers, is now reducing the price it charges for money transfers.

Shoppers increased their spending at Kmart stores for the first time in at least seven years this fall, picking up cheap toys, shoes and items for their homes.

A foam rocket launcher, children's book and Batman and Wolverine action figures are among the most dangerous toys on store shelves, according to a consumer watchdog group.

The leader of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Latin American division, Vicente Trius, is leaving the company after having served less than five months in the position.