AP - Barnes & Noble Inc. appears to be getting more serious about buying chief rival Borders Group Inc., confirming Thursday that it put together a management team to study the "feasibility" of a combination.

Reuters - Children's Place Retail Stores Inc reported a greater-than-expected rise in quarterly profit on Thursday, helped by a robust increase in sales, sending its shares up as much as 18 percent.

Reuters - Upscale retailer Saks Inc reported a higher quarterly profit on Tuesday as promotions helped draw shoppers during a difficult economic environment.

Reuters - Two of the largest U.S. retailers said on Tuesday that the weak U.S. economy and battered housing industry were discouraging cash-strapped consumers from making anything more than basic purchases.

AP - Saks Inc., the operator of luxury chain Saks Fifth Avenue, reported Tuesday a 66 percent increase in first-quarter earnings compared with weak year-ago results. It said increased discounting hurt profit margins as even wealthy customers were feeling squeezed, and its shares tumbled more than 6 percent in morning trading.

Reuters - Staples Inc , the No. 1 U.S. office supplies retailer, reported a higher quarterly profit on Tuesday that matched Wall Street's expectations, and stood by its outlook for the full year.

Reuters - Target Corp posted a 7.5 percent drop in quarterly profit on Tuesday, hurt by softer sales as shoppers passed over clothes and home decor purchases in favor of basics like food.

AP - With first-quarter profits down 8 percent and the economy in a funk, Target is emphasizing the "pay less" part its "Expect More, Pay Less" slogan.