Video: Layaways help Sears and Kmart

Sears posts the best earnings report since the merger of Sears and Kmart while other retailers warn of cautious forecasts

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Video: Consumer confidence plummets to new low

Confidence in the economy sank to new lows in February as consumers grow more fearful over massive job cuts and shrinking retirement accounts.

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Video: Consumer wallets slam shut

Retail sales fell sharply in December as consumers stayed home, pushing sales lower by 2.7 percent. The American consumer was on vacation this past holiday season. Retail sales plunged far more than expected, and the outlook is grim. Bobbi Rebell reports.

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Video: 2009 Looks Grim For Retailers

Thousands of stores are expected to close as unemployment grows and consumer confidence plummets. Meanwhile, chains like Wal-Mart are well positioned for 2009 as more shoppers scout out low-cost necessities, says retail expert Howard Davidowitz. Manoush Zomorodi reports from New York.

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Video: Holiday Cheers For Amazon.com

Online discount retailer Amazon.com (AMZN) announced today that the 2008 holiday season was its "best ever" with record high orders and massive shipments this past month.

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Video: Rotten Holiday Season for Retailers

A weak economy and strong winter storms brought total retail sales down between 5.5 percent and 8 percent from a year ago, according to preliminary data from SpendingPulse.

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Video: Last-minute Shoppers Won't Save Christmas

After limping through a holiday season expected to be the worst in decades, the nation's stores made it to Christmas with little to celebrate. Americans are too worried about their jobs and the recession to do much shopping.

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