Business - Retail

TORONTO - The Supreme Court of Canada said Friday that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was entitled to close a store in Quebec in 2005, seven months after workers voted to become the first Walmart store in North America to unionize. Full Story »

UPLAND, Calif. - Police say a Wal-Mart store in Southern California closed its doors for several hours before dawn after some Black Friday shoppers began fighting over bargain merchandise. Full Story »

BISMARCK, N.D. - Shoppers in North Dakota turned out in force on Black Friday, lending support to a prediction by the head of the state's Retail Association that holiday sales will be up, bucking the national trend. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Shares of Coldwater Creek Inc. slumped Wednesday after the women's apparel retailer posted a third-quarter loss that missed Wall Street's expectations. Full Story »

HOUSTON - The Texas Attorney General's Office has announced a $4.5 million settlement of its lawsuit against the Conn's Inc. appliance chain. Full Story »

BEIJING (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc's demand for rock-bottom prices from suppliers in China means some of these companies are forcing their employees to work in sweatshop-like conditions, a new report said on Wednesday. Full Story »

SANDPOINT, Idaho - Women's apparel retailer Coldwater Creek Inc. said Tuesday its loss widened in the third quarter, largely because of a hefty tax charge and higher promotional costs. Full Story »

WAUKESHA, Wis. - A financial dispute between Oprah Winfrey's mother and a high-end fashion store in Wisconsin has been settled. Full Story »

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Genesco Inc.'s third-quarter profit rose on improved gross margin and lower costs, the footwear and accessories retailer said Tuesday. Full Story »

NEW YORK - 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. Full Story »

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) - As the economy shows signs of stabilizing, major retail brokers are increasingly comfortable with leaving the largest brokerage houses and setting out on their own, according to a company that provides services to the brokers. Full Story »

EMERYVILLE, Calif. - Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc., hoping for a stake in the growing single-serve coffee brewing market, on Monday boosted its bid for a wholesale roaster and distributor by 24 percent. Full Story »

CHICAGO (Reuters) - When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened, but even more bargain-hungry customers cross their thresholds. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US retailers are taking desperate measures to spark holiday sales in the face of what promises to be another troubled year-end shopping season. Full Story »

In what may remind many consumers of the Amazon Kindle's early days, Barnes & Noble expects shipments of its nook e-book reader to be delayed. On Friday, the giant book retailer said it has sold out its first batch of nooks amid high demand -- and new shipments won't be available until after the holiday shopping season ends. Full Story »

SAN FRANCISCO - Shares of sporting goods retailer Hibbett Sports Inc. rose Friday, a day after its third-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations and it raised its 2010 profit forecast. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Shares of department store retailer Dillard's Inc. rose on Friday after an analyst upgraded the stock to "Buy" and said efforts to cut costs and improve merchandise are paying off. Full Story »

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Auto retailer America's Car-Mart Inc. reported on Friday a 61 percent higher fiscal second-quarter profit, as consumers turned to the used car market amid tighter credit restrictions. Full Story »