Sales

Video Game Sales Jump 47 Percent in April
 Americans spent $1.23 billion on video games, hardware and accessories last month, even as the price of more essential items like food and gasoline soared.

Ceramics as Table Art, on Sale
 Marek Cecula is selling his discontinued Industrial Line at a 50 percent discount.

April Retail Sales Dipped, but Some Sectors Held Up
 United States retail sales weakened modestly in April, but outside the auto sector they were more resilient than many economists had forecast.

Discounters Fared Well in Quarter
 Wal-Mart Stores and the TJX Companies said that sales and profit surged during the first three months of the year as consumers flocked to their discounted merchandise.

Liz Claiborne Beats Wall St. Expectations
 Despite the strong results, Liz projected weakness in the second quarter because of a calendar shift, disappointing sales trends in its Mexx Europe business and discounting by American retailers.

Profit Dips at Whole Foods Market
 Whole Foods Market posted a lower quarterly profit, missing analysts’ estimates by a penny, as it booked charges related to its acquisition of Wild Oats Markets.

Real Estate Lists Grow Comfortable With the Web
 The triple threat of a weak market, legal pressure and increasing competition has compelled real estate professionals to offer their information more freely online.

What Could I Get for my House? Please, Don’t Ask
 Many people who bought houses last year have actually seen the value of their investment decline.

Spring in a Cold Climate
 The latest residential real estate numbers from New Jersey make it clear that the housing market has further to fall.

Fragrance Market Is Establishing a Foothold in China
 The importance of brand in sales raises the question of the market’s future stability as sales of perfume, a product that has few cultural roots in China, have recently risen exponentially.

Toyota Expects Decline in Annual Profit
 The drop in annual profit is accelerating a shift by the Toyota Motor Corporation into emerging markets like China, Latin America and the Middle East.

Retailers’ April Is Mixed, With Discounters Strong
 Wal-Mart and Costco reported April sales that rose more than analysts estimated as American consumers sought discounts on clothing and food.

The Tax Trickery Spreads
 Americans must find ways to curb their use of fossil fuels. That will require higher, not lower, prices for gas even during a presidential campaign.

The 18-Cent Solution
 Most economists oppose the Clinton-McCain gas tax holiday. Nevertheless, I think it’s an idea worth supporting.

A $500 Million Week for Grand Theft Auto
 The company is expected to report it sold six million copies of the graphically violent game, 3.6 million of them on the first day.