RETAIL

U.S. employment growth accelerated last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, the strongest evidence yet the country's economic recovery is gaining steam.

The Asian political canvas looks challenging in 2012, with government changes in key countries likely to surprise investors and businesses. The highlights are a once-in-a-decade leadership change in China, chances of an early general election in India, worsening uncertainty in Pakistani politics and general elections in South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia.

There is some good news for those anxiously waiting to buy the Asus Transformer Prime with the device available for order at Best Buy and Office Depot.

Despite an upswing in hiring during 2011, the jobs crisis could last many more years as millions of Americans struggle to find work.

U.S. employment growth accelerated last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, the strongest evidence yet the economic recovery is gaining steam.

Stocks rose in the first week of this year, even though news that the U.S. jobless rate neared a three-year low did not whet interest in equities on Friday.

Stocks were on track to post gains for the first week of 2012 on Friday as signs of a sustainable economic recovery overshadowed lingering concerns about the euro zone's debt crisis.

The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA–CREF), the large pension fund manager and institutional investor, has purchased a retail condo in Manhattan's 225 West 83rd Street for $44.73 million, according to city records.

Employment growth accelerated last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, the strongest evidence yet the economic recovery is gaining steam.

BeachMint, a 14-month old social commerce focused fashion retailer, began shipping to Canada just a few weeks ago. The move was the beginning of a meticulously planned international expansion to come.

Hiring in the U.S. accelerated in December for a second month and jobless rate fell again to the lowest point in almost three years. Revised data show that hiring in October grew faster than initially reported, while hiring in November was revised down. All signs indicate a strengthening labor market heading into 2012.

The Eurozone's economy deepened its downturn at the end of 2011 as retail sales fell and sentiment soured, but the first improvement in the business climate in 10 months offered hope that an expected recession may be mild.

Retailers posted strong sales numbers in December, but at-times extreme discounts tapered good feelings, profits and earnings outlooks for the full year.

The results indicate that more routine purchases were made online this holiday season.

Banks led Wall Street to gains on Thursday even as Europe struggled again, a sign investors are betting a relatively strong U.S. economy will help U.S. stocks outperform other markets.

Stocks rose on Thursday led by bank shares as investors bet a stronger economy will help boost balance sheets of U.S. based lenders.

The white Samsung Galaxy Nexus is expected to hit stores in the UK in the next two weeks and the U.S launch will follow in early February, according to Expansys.com.

The New York-based retailer said it expects 2012 consolidated sales between $7.0 billion and $7.2 billion. The company expects full year losses to total $1.10 and $1.40 per share.

The number of planned job cuts at U.S. firms declined in December to the lowest level since June, but up from the same time a year ago, a report on Thursday showed.

Venerable bookseller Barnes & Noble said it will consider spinning off its thriving Nook business – its thriving e-book unit – while determining its own corporate future.

The first batch of December sales results suggests that people were willing and able to shop if U.S. retailers made it worth the effort with discounts.