Business - Retail

BEIJING (AFP) - Consumer prices in China rose for the first time in nearly a year and industrial production picked up pace in November, while retail sales slowed slightly, the government said Friday. Full Story »

BOSTON (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc plans to launch a portfolio that will let wealthy individual investors access hedge funds that have boosted pension funds' and endowments' returns, the company said in a regulatory filing on Thursday. Full Story »

WAYNE, N.J. - Toys R Us Inc. on Wednesday reported a narrower third-quarter loss as its CEO said the toy retailer saw its best operating performance since 2006. Full Story »

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The state is partnering with four large retail chains in an attempt to make sure all Ohioans have access to flu treatment drugs this flu season. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus said Wednesday it is revising its sales figures from November and December 2008 due to a mechanical error. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Upscale retailer Neiman Marcus Inc reported sharply lower quarterly profit as worried consumers continued to avoid luxury items amid a slowdown the company expects will last for some time. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Standard & Poor's upgraded its rating outlook on J. Crew Group Inc. to positive from stable, based on the clothing retailer's third-quarter results and improved cash position. Full Story »

NEW YORK - More than 600,000 businesses across the country are getting an early Christmas present. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Auto parts retailer AutoZone Inc. said Tuesday its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 9 percent, as strapped consumers spent more on repairs for their old cars rather than buying new ones. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Women's clothing retailer Talbots Inc reported a surprise quarterly profit on cost cuts and eased concerns regarding its ability to pay down debt, sending its shares up 7 percent. Full Story »

LONDON (Reuters) - Tesco Plc, the world's No.3 retailer, posted quarterly sales growth toward the bottom end of forecasts, held back by a drop in food price inflation, but said a gradual consumer recovery remained on track. Full Story »

PHILADELPHIA - Auto parts retailer Pep Boys posted a third-quarter profit on Monday and sales higher than a year earlier thanks to an increase in service work. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Teen clothing retailer Aeropostale Inc. said Monday it added $250 million to its share-buyback program, raising the amount available to $290 million. Full Story »

NEW YORK - The Home Depot Inc. will start selling Martha Stewart-branded paint and cleaning products next year in addition to the home decor and closet organization lines announced in September, the nation's largest home improvement retailer said Monday. Full Story »

NEW YORK - An FBR Capital Markets analyst downgraded Advance Auto Parts Inc. Monday, saying the auto parts retailer's earnings in the fourth quarter and next year may fall short of investor expectations as sales growth slows. Full Story »

LONDON (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc , the world's largest online retailer, has no plans to open stores anywhere in the world, it said on Sunday, in response to a report it was planning to open high street shops in Britain. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Luxury retailer Saks Inc. on Friday restated its third-quarter profit to add a $4.4 million tax benefit, bumping its net income to $6.3 million from $1.9 million. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Moody's Investors Service has lifted its outlook on AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest automotive retailer, encouraged by its improving credit profile. Full Story »