back to school

Americans' confidence in the economy eroded further in July amid worries about a job market that has proven stubbornly stagnant.

The report raised concerns about the overall economy and the back-to-school season.

Retailers are reporting sales declines for August as shoppers continue to hold off on back-to-school purchases and continue to focus on necessities.

It may be the beginning of the year for students, but for retailers, it's report-card time.

Halfway through the back-to-school shopping season, predictions of the worst performance for stores in more than a decade are yet another sign that consumers are clinging to every dollar.

Retailers are reporting sluggish sales for July as shoppers' worries about jobs escalate, raising concern about the health of the back-to-school shopping season.

Shoppers — worried about job security and finding fewer options among the sales bins — remained tight-fisted in July, resulting in sluggish sales for many merchants and raising concern about the back-to-school shopping season's health.

Shoppers — worried about job security and finding fewer options among the sales bins — remained tight-fisted in July, resulting in sluggish sales for many merchants and raising concern about the back-to-school shopping season's health.

Retailers are geared up for back-to-school shopping.

But getting recession-weary parents similarly stoked — now, that might be tricky.

The possible collapse of a key lender is sending panic through the retail industry, threatening to hang up deliveries of back-to-school clothing and other merchandise.

The possible collapse of a key lender is sending panic through the retail industry, threatening to hang up deliveries of back-to-school clothing and other merchandise.