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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) said it plans to open most stores at midnight on the key "Black Friday" shopping day following Thanksgiving, the latest plot to lure cash-conscious customers into stores. The world's largest retailer has seen same-store sales drop at its U.S. locations for five-straight quarters as persistently high unemployment and housing troubles lead consumers to spend cautiously. Fiscal third-quarter results are due Tuesday. The retail sector faces a fiercely competitive Christmas season, with price wars and promotions expected as retailers woo shoppers. Wal-Mart has already cut prices on toys, among other items, and last week

NEW YORK -- Lowe's Cos. said Monday its third-quarter earnings rose 17% to $404 million, or 29 cents from $344 million, or 23 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time charges of 2 cents a share, Lowe's earned 31 cents a share in the latest period. Sales rose 1.9% to $11.6 billion. Wall Street analysts expected earnings of 30 cents a share and revenue of $11.76 billion, according to a survey of analysts by FactSet Research. Looking ahead at the fourth quarter, the Mooresville, N.C. home-products retailer said it expects earnings of 16 cents to 19 cents

U.S. coffee shop operator Starbucks has said that it plans to end its distribution deal with Kraft Foods to gain greater control over its retail offering.

J.C. Penney's third-quarter earnings rose 63 percent as the department store operator benefited from fewer charges, but high merchandise levels and indications of poorer profits from the products it sells raised eyebrows.

Gymboree (NYSE:GYMB) said Monday its third-quarter profit narrowed slightly on weaker-than-anticipated sales and higher costs, but excluding onetime items, the retailer still managed to trump expectations. The San Francisco-based company posted net earnings of $34.4 million, or $1.26 a share, compared with $34.8 million, or $1.15 a share, in the same quarter last year. Excluding $3.5 million in costs related to the company's $1.8 billion sale to Bain Capital , Gymboree earned $1.33 a share, ahead of average analyst estimates polled by Thomson Reuters of $1.28. Gymboree CEO Matthew McCauley

Wal-Mart Purchasing Chief Hernan Muntaner has a dream: teaming the giant retailer with soda and snack maker Pepsi to buy potatoes jointly for a lower price than either company can get on its own. That would allow both to earn more money on the chips and spuds they sell in Wal-Mart's supermarkets. So far, Pepsi isn't playing along.

PriceGrabber conducted a Black Friday Shopping survey between September and October of this year. The survey data, consisting of 1,839 U.S. online consumers planning to spend this holiday season, reveals that holiday shoppers perceive that retailers offer their best deals during Thanksgiving weekend.

Macy's is investing heavily in its non-store channels, directing 20% of its $800 million in capital expenditures to its direct-to-consumer businesses, including spending on technology. An early return on the investment: 'endless aisle' capabilities now available chainwide.

Barnes & Noble is testing 3,000-sq.-ft toy boutiques in five test stores: Enfield, Conn.; Manchester, Conn.; North Brunswick, N.J.; Holmdel, N.J.; and Bronx, N.Y. The play spaces incorporate interactive displays, creativity and learning through activities, scientific discoveries, and favorite children’s characters. In strategic partnerships with world renowned toy and games manufacturers, Barnes & Noble has created five interactive play areas — Building, Learning, Imagining, Creating and Playing — that are designed to offer children hands-on learning experiences in a fun, engaging and comfortable environment.“Barnes & Noble has always been a destination for families who want to foster a life-long

Dillard's Inc. said Friday its third-quarter profit surged 80% benefiting from improved margins, reduced expenses and lower inventory.The department store operator reported net income of $14.4 million for the period ended Oct. 30, up from $8 million a year ago. Revenue dipped 1% to $1.37 billion from $1.39 billion.Dillard's lowered its advertising, selling, administrative and general expenses to $398.5 million from $402.1 million during the quarter.The chain said its gross margin from retail operations improved because of its tightened inventory which led to fewer markdowns.Inventory at stores open at least a year fell 2%.