Retail

Beloit, Wis. – FatWallet.com is launching its 2013 annual Black Friday Deal Finder online tool and mobile app. The Deal Finder is already featuring multiple Thanksgiving and Black Friday ads from top stores, including Macy's, Radio Shack, Lowe's and Target.

New and improved features to this year's Black Friday Deal Finder include:

Fort Worth, Texas – RadioShack Corp. has opened a new concept store in Detroit, and another in Philadelphia. All new concept stores in the company's portfolio feature an upgraded shopping experience, which showcases the company's new look, and incorporates interactive areas designed to help shoppers improve their technology profile.

New York -- Shoppers feel that they get a better retail experience online than in-store, including better service, more perks and rewards, and the ability to make smarter purchasing decisions, according to shopping behavior and retail trends firm WSL.  

Raymore, Mo. — Sam’s Club has opened its newest club in Raymore, Mo. Relocated from Grandview, the new 136,000-sq.-ft. warehouse club will anchor the Raymore Galleria.

The new club will feature a Fresh Bakery, Tire and Battery Center, Optical Center, Pharmacy, Hearing Aid Center, Café and Fuel Station.

Retail sales fell in September for the first time in six months, but the decline was credited to a drop-off in auto purchases. Most U.S. retail sectors actually experienced broad sales gains during the month, according to the National Retail Federation, which reported that, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, retail sales grew a seasonally 0.6% compared to the previous month and 3.8% unadjusted compared to the prior year.

Results of specific sectors include:

By James McCandless and Kenneth Katz,  X Team International

The recent government shutdown has analysts scrambling to determine how much damage was done to the national economy. From a retail perspective, understanding the scale and scope of the shutdown requires a more thorough understanding of the issues at play; including a closer look at how retailers responded and a breakdown of how the lingering effects of the partial government closure may impact the holiday sales season.

The ripple effect on retail

New York -- Nook Media LLC, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc., is releasing the new Nook GlowLight e-reader.

At 6.2 ounces, it is the lightest Nook device ever, and new lighting technology light is evenly distributed, turns on instantly and adjusts with a touch. The built-in anti-glare screen on the re-engineered display offers what Barnes & Noble says is paper-like readability, even in bright sunlight.

The Jones Group had better-than-expected third-quarter results for fiscal 2013, as net income soared 67% to $28.3 million from $17.8 million. However, revenues in the quarter ended Oct. 5 fell about 1%, to $1.02 billion from $1.03 billion.