WALMART

Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday it was taking more steps to make sure its toys are safe after Mattel Inc's recall this month of millions of Chinese-made toys.

The site for one of Tesco Plc's first stores in the United States is a sun-scorched intersection in the sprawling Phoenix valley, opposite two pay-day loan firms and a gas station minimarket.

Target Corp on Tuesday said its quarterly profit rose more than 12 percent, boosted by strong sales at stores open at least a year and returns from its credit-card business. The retailer also reiterated its full-year earnings outlook.

The stock market is swinging but there are no signs the rich are buckling their Pradas.

The stock market is swinging like a pendulum and the credit market is getting tighter than a drum but there are no signs the rich are buckling their Pradas to hold onto their bucks.

U.S. stocks skidded on Tuesday on fresh signs that global credit markets were seizing up, while a lower profit forecast from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. renewed worries about consumer spending. Wal-Mart's pessimistic outlook and subsequent news that a U.S. investment firm wants to halt redemptions delivered a one-two punch to already shaky confidence.

U.S. consumers are showing signs of lethargy and have retreated from their free-spending ways.

Stock index futures were little changed on Tuesday before data on inflation that could shed light on the Federal Reserve's next move in dealing with a deteriorating credit environment.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, on Tuesday reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit and cut its full-year earnings forecast, saying its customers remain under economic pressure. Chief Executive Lee Scott blamed the disappointing performance on economic pressure around the world.

Consumers spent more boldly than expected last month as declining gasoline prices shielded household budgets, government data showed on Monday. Sales at U.S. retailers rose a slightly more-than-expected 0.3 percent in July and core sales, which strip out car, building materials and gasoline sales, were even stronger, the Commerce Department data showed.

Most U.S. retailers posted weaker-than-expected July sales on Thursday, hurt by a delayed back-to-school shopping season and high gas prices that cut consumers' trips to the mall.

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has inked a 50-50 joint venture with Bharti Enterprises for a wholesale cash-and-carry business in India that will roll out ten to fifteen such outlets over the next seven years.

Facing minimum-wage violation accusations, it will give its Chinese employees their first across-the-board pay rise.

Sourcing of products from India by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. could rise to billions of dollars annually in coming years once the U.S. retailer starts operations there, the firm's country president said on Tuesday.

Amazon.com Inc. posted quarterly net profit on Tuesday that more than tripled, surprising Wall Street, as U.S. sales jumped, sending shares up 17 percent after-hours. The company also raised its forecast for full-year sales.

Shoppers will be able to review and rate the merchandise sold on Wal-Mart Stores Inc's Web site beginning on Thursday, as the retailer works to expand its online capabilities.

Hewlett-Packard continued its reign as the top personal computer maker in the world as its closest rival Dell declined for the second quarter but still managed to hold its U.S. lead.

U.S. investors remain confident in the health of the economy and most expect the U.S. stock market to hold near its recent record levels or extend them modestly, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

Consumer spending fuels about two-thirds of total economic output and a pullback could weigh heavily on an economy already pegged to grow below trend this year.

Retailers reported modest June sales results on Thursday as industry leader Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and teen favorite Abercrombie & Fitch Co. topped Wall Street's conservative expectations while a number of department stores and women's specialty retailers foundered.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday reported a higher-than-expected 2.4 percent June rise in sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year, and the world's largest retailer said its second-quarter earnings forecast is attainable.