Saks posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss and Target said profit fell 8 percent as the sluggish economy hurt luxury and discount retailers alike.

In the first half of this year, four major retailers have signed leases for new spaces in the prime Fifth Avenue shopping district.

In the first half of this year, four major retailers have signed leases for new spaces in the prime Fifth Avenue shopping district.

At many 99-cent stores, the signs still advertise rock-bottom prices, but much of the merchandise costs more.

At many 99-cent stores, the signs still advertise rock-bottom prices, but much of the merchandise costs more.

At many 99-cent stores, the signs still advertise rock-bottom prices, but much of the merchandise costs more.

A group of workers in the automotive department of a Wal-Mart store in Canada became the first North American employees of Wal-Mart to be covered by a union contract.

The department store chain said on Friday that quarterly profit was hurt by cutbacks in consumer spending, and forecast further sales declines for the current quarter.

Mr. Weil, a king of cowboy couture, was almost certainly the first to put snaps on Western shirts, and most likely the first to produce bolo ties commercially.

Thrift is the theme this back-to-school year and stores are trying to play to the public mood with deeper and more creative discounts.