Sign In
Free Newsletter
iPads face toughest holiday competition yet
NEW YORK — Apple CEO Tim Cook believes Santa’s sleigh will be loaded with iPads this Christmas, but a variety of competing tablets are sure to be along for the ride, too. Apple’s iPad Air, a thinner, lighter and faster-running version of its previous large tablet computers, goes on sale Friday with a starting price […]
UPS sees busier, intense holiday shopping season
ATLANTA — UPS expects this holiday season to be busier than last, thanks to the growing popularity of online shopping. And more intense, thanks to the calendar. The world’s biggest package delivery company said Friday that it foresees peak season daily volume rising 8 percent this year. UPS, based in Atlanta, predicts that it will […]
D.C. no help to retailers already skittish about holidays
NEW YORK — Will Washington be the Grinch who stole Christmas? After weeks of bickering between Congress and the White House, President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed into law a plan that ended a partial 16-day government shutdown and suspended the nation’s debt limit until early next year. But the measure, which comes just weeks […]
Retail sales rise slight 0.2 percent in August
WASHINGTON — Americans boosted their spending at retail businesses only modestly in August, indicating that economic growth remains sluggish. Consumers bought more cars, furniture and electronics last month but held back on most other purchases. Spending at retail businesses rose just 0.2 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Friday. It was the smallest gain […]
Owners of Neiman Marcus sell chain for $6 billion
NEW YORK — Luxury merchant Neiman Marcus is getting a new owner. Ares Management and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board announced Monday they are buying the luxury chain Neiman Marcus for $6 billion. The two new owners will hold an equal economic interest in Neiman Marcus, and the company’s management will retain a minority stake. […]
At Ikea, snooze you can use
Have you ever strolled through the Ikea in White Marsh or College Park, looked at a model bedroom and thought about how it looks so comfortable and wouldn’t it be a great place to lie down for a little nap?
Consumer spending up 0.5 percent in June
WASHINGTON — Consumers increased their spending in June at the fastest pace in four months even though their income growth slowed. Consumer spending rose 0.5 percent in June compared with May, when spending was up 0.2 percent, the Commerce Department reported Friday. It was the best gain since a 0.7 percent rise in February. Income […]
Budget fashion chain H&M opens U.S. online store
STOCKHOLM — After several delays, Swedish budget fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz AB on Thursday launched its online sales operations in the United States. H&M said everything that is available in its high street stores — that’s Main Street to U.S. shoppers — will also be sold online. The online store, which was initially planned […]
Retailers report modest gains for May
NEW YORK — In the latest sign that Americans are feeling better about the overall economy, stores across the country had a pickup in sales in May. An improving job picture, better housing market and stock market rallies have all led to consumer confidence reaching five-year highs. That has left Americans a bit more likely […]
State of the Arts: The arts helped bring Highlandtown from ‘impending doom’ to a new direction
Highlandtown, on the city’s east side near Canton and Butcher’s Hill, hasn’t enjoyed the status of “destination” in the same way some of its neighboring communities have.
Internet sales tax bill to hit roadblock in House
WASHINGTON — A bill to require Internet shoppers to pay sales taxes for online purchases may be cruising through the Senate but it will soon hit a roadblock in the House. “There’s a lot of political difficulty getting through the fog of it looking like a tax increase,” said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., one of […]
Tax-free Internet shopping jeopardized by bill
WASHINGTON — Tax-free shopping on the Internet could be in jeopardy under a bill making its way through the Senate. The bill would empower states to require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. The sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives. […]
