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• US Holiday Sales Rise 3%, Missing Forecasts

  

  U.S. shoppers spent only 3 percent more during the 2012 holiday season than they did a year earlier, the National Retail Federation said, citing economic uncertainty for tempering consumers' enthusiasm.

• How Mobile Technology Is Revolutionizing In-Store Shopping

  

  Retailers are marrying the physical-store experience with smartphones. A closer look at small tech companies, mining this fast-evolving mobile space.

• NRF Retail Sales Post Lowest Gain Since 2009 

  

  CNBC's Steve Liesman breaks down the latest holiday sales numbers from the National Retail Federation.

• Wal-Mart CEO Abruptly Cancels CNBC Interview  

  

  An interview with Wal-Mart's U.S. president & CEO, Bill Simon was suddenly cancelled shortly before his scheduled appearance on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." The company cited a "scheduling issue" as the reason.

• Like-for-like Sales Do Not Indicate Profitability: Expert 

  

  Julie Carlyle, head of retail at Ernst & Young explains to CNBC that in today's market with the discounting scene, like-for-like sales aren't always an indicator of underlying profitability.

• Retail Sales Get Auto Boost; Inflation Remains Tame

  

  Retail sales rose more than expected in December while wholesale prices remained low, suggesting inflation is in check.

• Wal-Mart Plans to Hire Any Veteran Who Wants a Job

  

  Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, plans to hire every veteran who wants a job, provided that the veterans have left the military in the previous year and did not receive a dishonorable discharge.

• CEOs on the Future Face of Retail 

  

  CNBC's Courtney Reagan provides an update from the annual Financo Forum, where some of the biggest names in retail gathered to discuss the outlook on the industry.

• Who’s Paying the Price of a ‘Gift Crackdown’ in China?

  

  A Chinese government crackdown on lavish spending by officials has pushed expensive liquor and high-end watches out of favor in the luxury gift-giving market, a survey from the Hurun Report, known for its annual China Rich List, showed on Tuesday.

• 'Container Cliff' Talks Heat Up Ahead of Feb. Strike Date

  

  The International Longshoremen's Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX)are racing to avert a Feb. 7th strike of 14,500 longshoremen members in 14 major East Coast ports, including hubs in New York and New Jersey.

• Cash Crunch Hits Retail Space 

  

  Cash flow concerns are hitting well-known retailers like Best Buy and JC Penney. Joe Feldman, Telsey Advisory Group analyst, discusses whether other retailers are facing similar issues.

• Playing Quiksilver's New CEO 

  

  Goldman Sachs upgraded Quiksilver from neutral to buy, but then Piper Jaffray downgraded the stock from buy to neutral. Mad Money host Jim Cramer explains how to play this speculative stock.

• More Gold Being Pawned 

  

  After 75 years in Beverly Hills, Beverly Loan is expanding to New York, reports CNBC's Jane Wells. Wealthy clients are now pawning gold, says Wells.

• Bottle of White House Beer Sells for $1,200 at Auction

  

  Six news stories that have consumers buzzing in the world of beer, wine and spirits this week, including a pricey bid for the White House brew.

• Apple to Launch iPad 5 in March: Analyst

  

  Apple is going to unveil an updated iPad this Spring, Brian White of Topeka Capital said.

• Friday's Market Roadmap 

  

  The "Squawk on the Street" news team reports which stories are likely to move the market's today, including Wells Fargo's earnings beat; and Best Buy's flat holiday sales Also, CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports on Boeing's bumpy week, as the FAA reviews recent technical glitches found on the 787 Dreamliner.

• Wal-Mart to join Arkansas health care program

  LITTLE ROCK, Ark.-- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday it will add its Arkansas employees' insurance plan to a state effort aimed at lowering health care costs by changing the way private insurers and Medicaid pay for services, and it committed $670,000 to create a tracking system that would measure the initiative's success.

• UPDATE 2-Best Buy key US sales rebound, free cash flow pressured

  Jan 11- Best Buy Co Inc on Friday showed a bit of a turnaround in its U.S. stores, with flat same-store sales during the key holiday season, but slashed its expectations for free cash flow after it had to pay for some inventory earlier than expected.

• Best Buy US Sales Flat, Cash Flow Pressured

  Best Buy Friday slashed its expectations for 2013 free cash flow after it had to pay for inventory earlier than expected during a critical time for the world's largest electronics chain. Shares of Best Buy fell 2.4 percent to $11.92 in premarket trading.

• Budweiser Unveils Its Super Bowl Ad Lineup

  

  Budweiser Black Crown will make its national television debut in a spot fit for a king.