U.S. retail spending grew 1.9% last month, delivering a slight boost of confidence amid a recent spate of signs that the economic recovery has lost momentum from the pandemic's toll.

Why would anyone open a new hotel in the middle of a pandemic? NPR talks with the owners of small hotel chains who did just that.

They call it Christmas creep. Retailers have long tried to get people shopping for holiday gifts earlier and earlier — and this year, as early as October. The pandemic has had something to do with it.

The chain does "not intend to reopen 185 of their restaurants that were closed during the pandemic," Ruby Tuesday's CEO wrote in a court filing.

House Democrats recommend Congress look at ways to force the companies to split off some of their businesses, saying the tech giants have exploited their power to benefit themselves and hurt rivals.

Ireland's Supreme Court ruled that, for tax purposes, Subway bread had too much sugar to qualify as bread. The case raises questions about changing tastes, niche tax law, and what is bread anyway?

Some shoppers looking to buy new fridges, freezers or washers have been finding themselves out of luck. The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a monkey wrench into both supply and demand.

Some shoppers looking for new fridges, freezers or washers have been finding themselves out of luck. The coronavirus pandemic had affected both their supply and demand.

A 1938 law created "exploitative and discriminatory" job programs and should be phased out, marking a new milestone in the debate over "sheltered workshops," the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights says.

But U.S. shoppers spent more prudently in August and retail sales grew a tepid 0.6% from July, after extra federal jobless benefits expired and families faced a confusing back-to-school season.

Malls are saving another retailer. J.C. Penney is the fourth bankrupt chain this year getting sold to a venture with its landlords, including the biggest U.S. mall company.

Walmart+ will cost $98 a year, offering free delivery of groceries and items from nearby stores, a discount on gasoline and mobile checkout.

The lawsuit says Black franchisees were steered toward neighborhoods where sales are lower while costs are higher. The franchisees ended up with less money and faced harsher scrutiny, it says.

Walmart cited a potential boost from TikTok to its online presence, including the giant retailer's efforts to grow online advertising and a marketplace for third-party sellers.

Preparing for both in-person and virtual learning has families budgeting for new school supplies like masks and bleach wipes as well as bigger purchases like laptops, speakers, desks and chairs.

At a time of mass work from home and with many people moving to spacious suburbs, Amazon is funding a large expansion of corporate real estate and 3,500 jobs in six U.S. cities.

Can a simple dress become a coping mechanism for the pandemic age? Billowing linen, cozy cotton, flowing silk — the house dress is a perfect fit for this moment.

People particularly stocked up on electronics and appliances, took more trips with stops at gas stations, and cautiously went out to eat as more stores and restaurants reopened.

It's been about five months since our economy ground to a halt. How has the pandemic affected your job, your finances and your family?

McDonald's wants Steve Easterbrook to return his multimillion-dollar exit pay. The fast-food chain says he hid evidence of relationships and even approved a big stock grant for one of the women.