Wal-Mart Stores Inc is expecting a "late Christmas" as consumers continue to carefully manage spending, CEO Mike Duke said at an investor conference.

French supermarket group Carrefour, the world's No. 2 retailer after U.S. Wal-Mart, is looking at different opportunities to expand in Russia, including acquisitions.

U.S. private equity firm TPG plans to list Myer, Australia's largest department store chain, on the local stock exchange this year in a deal that could be worth up to $2.6 billion and test the market's faith in recovery.

John Lewis, the employee-owned group viewed as a barometer of UK retailing, posted a small rise in weekly department store sales against a tough comparable number last year, adding to signs of a consumer recovery.

The US clothing group Levi Strauss inaugurated its largest store ever, choosing the heart of Rome as its venue and announcing plans to open further outlets in other world capitals.

West 49 Inc, a Canadian sports retailer, narrowed its second-quarter loss, helped by lower expenses and improved margins.

At least five people were killed when a shopping centre caved-in in a New Delhi suburb, the local fire department said.

British clothing and food retailer Marks & Spencer has promoted its head of food, John Dixon, to its executive board, strengthening his chance of succeeding Stuart Rose as chief executive next year.

Wal-Mart de Mexico plans to relaunch its Mexican bank in coming months, using its thousands of store cashiers to take deposits, in a bid to gain a foothold in an industry dominated by Citigroup and Spain's BBVA.

Creditor banks of Arcandor have launched a placing of its 43.9 percent stake in travel firm Thomas Cook Group PLC, currently held as collateral against a loan taken out by the insolvent German retailer.

Men's Wearhouse reported a quarterly profit that beat market estimates, helped by lower expenses, but forecast weak third-quarter earnings, sending the apparel retailer's shares down as much as 6 percent in after-market trade.

For Muslim women who feel they are violating Islam's teachings by using skin creams with alcohol and pig residues, Layla Mandi has the answer: religiously-correct "halal" cosmetics.

Pantaloon Retail in India, the country's largest listed retailer, plans to invest more than 5 billion rupees ($103.5 million) to expand its malls and stores.

South African retailer Foschini Ltd said sales for the first five months of the fiscal year rose more than 8 percent in an "extremely tough" trading environment.

Britain's recovery prospects brightened after surveys showed consumer morale jumping, employers hiring again and price pressures absent.