AFP - US consumers pushed up retail sales by a better-than-expected 1.4 percent in July, the Commerce Department said, signalling a rebound in sales from June.

Reuters - U.S. consumers spent heartily in July on goods ranging from cars to electronics as sales at retail stores rose a greater-than-expecte­d 1.4 percent, a government report on Friday showed.

AFP - The dollar firmed against major currencies before publication of US retail sales data for July, due later in the day.

AP - Two leading retail stalwarts — J.C. Penney Co. and discounter Target Corp. — reported on Thursday better-than-expected profits in the second quarter. Still, the outlook for consumer spending in the coming months remains muddled amid higher energy costs, rising interest rates, war in the Middle East, and the latest terrorist threat.

AP - Assets of the nation's retail money market mutual funds rose by $1.36 billion in the latest week to $912.09 billion, the Investment Company Institute said Thursday.

AP - Two leading retail stalwarts — J.C. Penney Co. and discounter Target Corp. — reported on Thursday better-than-expected profits in the second quarter. Still, the outlook for consumer spending in the coming months remains muddled amid higher energy costs, rising interest rates, war in the Middle East, and the latest terrorist threat.

Reuters - NYSE Group Inc. on Monday said A.G. Edwards Inc. would pay a fine of $900,000 to settle charges that the retail broker charged customers excessive account fees.

California-based retail giant PriceSmart, and the first foreign store to take advantage of the liberalized retail law in the Philippines, has decided to pack up and close all its stores in Manila, Philippines. Reportedly the warehouse chain stopped operating last week after its local partner...

The Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has filed for a retail banking license across the border. The retail giant is trying to break into the banking business in Mexico.

Reuters - There is no evidence that a bank proposed by retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. would crowd out small community banks, as many such institutions fear, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Gary Stern said on Friday.

The lingering heat wave affecting much of the country had propelled sales for summer clothes in July, boosting many retailers' profits for the season. But industry analysts say it is still too early to predict whether or not the positive growth would continue until September as rising oil prices...

AP - Scorching heat in much the country sent consumers in search of summer clothes in July, giving many retailers a solid sales performance for the month. But the outlook for the back-to-school shopping season remained uncertain as higher gasoline prices and rising interest rates are still expected to challenge consumers.

AFP - Eurozone retail sales rose in June, reversing losses tabled in May, official European Union data has shown.

Reuters - Simon Property Group Inc. , the largest U.S. retail property owner, on Monday said quarterly funds from operations, a key performance measure of real estate investment trusts, rose 6.9 percent on higher rent and sales at its malls and outlet centers.

AP - Stores are worrying less about teens stealing CDs than about sophisticated criminals like Samih Fadl Jamal of Mesa, Ariz., the ring leader of a major organized theft operation that stole and resold millions of dollars of baby formula throughout the country.

Reuters - Employees of retail giant Wal-Mart have set up their first trade union in China, a move analysts said on Monday could lead to more unionization in the sector.

AFP - Retail sales in Germany rose in June, largely as a result of the positive effects on consumer spending of the World Cup soccer championships, data showed.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, plans to sell its German retail business to Metro AG, due to fierce competition in the German retail market. Currently, Wal-Mart Germany operates 85 Super-Centers employing and estimated 11,000 associates....

According to published reports, Wal-Mart has got the Indian government's approval to open two offices in two of the country's largest cities. The offices will study the market potential for the world's largest retailer in the India's lucrative retail market....

Reuters - Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, is selling its underperforming German stores to the country's leading retail chain Metro, marking a major retreat that will cost it about $1 billion.