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Google is considering a move into online retail, challenging Amazon by providing low-cost goods. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google is in talks with major retailers and shippers about creating a service to let consumers shop for goods online and receive their orders within a day for a low fee.

Talbots is slashing another 100 jobs at its Hingham, Mass. headquarters, abruptly suspending its national advertising campaign, and reportedly looking for new leadership after years of a failed turnaround.

CBS Consumer Products has partnered with TeamFanShop to launch an online store, ShopTVCity.com, which features products with slogans and imagery from TV shows.

Online retailers should consider how to personalize their sites using Facebook data, as a new study shows 50 percent of visitors to e-commerce sites are logged onto the social network as well.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX) today reported November 2011 sales results. Sales for the four-week period ended November 26, 2011, were $2.04 billion, up 4% over the $1.96 billion achieved during the four-week period ended November 27, 2010. For the 43 weeks ended November 26, 2011, sales reached $18.5 billion, up 5% over the $17.6 billion achieved during the 43-week period last year. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 4% compared to last year for the four-week period ended November 26, 2011. For the 43-week year-to-date period, consolidated comparable store sales increased 3% compared to last year.

Everett, Wash. -- Zumiez Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 29 rose 14.8% to $14.1 million, from $12.3 million in the prior fiscal year. Revenue climbed 13.3% to $154 million from $135.9 million, and same-store sales grew 6%. “We are pleased with the current pace of growth for our business and believe our product assortment has us well positioned for the remainder of the holiday selling period," said Rick Brooks, CEO. The company has opened all 45 new stores planned in fiscal 2011, including its first stores in Canada.

A protested Wal-Mart development in Toms River, N.J. will destroy habitat for the threatened northern pine snake, despite the fact that it already has a store in town — it's just a mile down the road and will be closed when the new supercenter opens.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 29 climbed 24% to $32.7 million, from $26.3 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 8% to $486.8 million, just missing Wall Street’s expected $488.2 million, and same-store sales increase 5%. Online sales surged 41%.

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Staples has launched a new iPhone app that allows consumers to access product information and reviews while in-store, locate a store that has a product they need, and receive special deals via its check-in feature.