Budgets/Spending/Market Size

New York City -- The Labor Department’s November report indicated that retailers didn't hire as many new workers during the month as they traditionally do at this time of year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The report showed retailers are extending hours of existing workers and some may have hired earlier this year than usual.

Beaumont, Texas -- Consumer electronics chain Conn's reported Thursday that it narrowed its loss for the quarter ended Oct. 31 to $5.1 million, compared with a $14.4 million loss a year earlier.

Revenue fell 14% to $169.9 million, from $197.5 million. Analysts expected revenue of $167.1 million.

Same-store sales fell 16.3% during the quarter.

Washington, D.C. -- Fewer Americans filed claims for unemployment insurance payments over the past month, indicating some positive movement in the job market.

According to the latest labor department figures, the number of applications for jobless benefits averaged 431,000 a week over the month ended Nov. 27, the lowest level since August 2008. Claims increased by 26,000 last week, more than forecast, to 436,000, after reaching a two-year low.

New York City -- Retailers nearly across the board reported a strong start to the holiday season as their November sales were enhanced by aggressive discounting that started early in the month. Same-store sales rose 6% in November,  above the estimated growth of 3.6% and the year-ago gain of 0.6%, according to 27 retailers tracked by Thomson Reuters. 

Arlington, Va. -- After same-store sales reports on Thursday showed strengthened performance among most major retail chains, the Retail Industry Leaders Association said that November results may suggest that consumer activity is on the rise, and could indicate the strongest holiday shopping season retailers have experienced in recent years.