Costco

Costco Wholesale hasn't given up on the idea of selling liquor in Washington. Having lost last year at the polls, the country's third-largest retailer is back with another initiative for voters to consider. Initiative 1183, which is likely to be on the ballot this fall, resembles last year's effort in that it would push the state out of the liquor business, forcing it to auction off its stores and distribution center.

The UPS Store network announced a Facebook contest on Monday called "The Promotion Promotion." The contest, designed to arm small business owners with tools and resources to promote their business, runs through August 31st. The grand prize winner will receive an integrated marketing campaign valued up to $50,000. The Promotion Promotion sweepstakes also will award up to $3,000 in weekly prizes, including an Apple iPad 2 with Square and gift cards from American Express, The UPS Store and Costco. Contestants can enter for a chance to win the weekly prize drawing by dropping their name into a virtual fishbowl.

Investors and analysts tend to rate retail industry CEOs with a completely different set of criteria than retail employees would use to rate their boss's boss's boss's boss. So if you asked the employees of the largest U.S. retail industry chains if they approved of their CEO, what would they say?

U.S. retailers' same-store sales in April surpassed analysts’ estimates, led by Limited Brands and Macy’s. This indiactes that consumers gained confidence in the U.S. economy’s recovery.

Gas at Costco and Sam’s Club is a well-known way to save. In Chicago, it cuts 20 cents off the average per gallon price. Don’t have a club store nearby? Look no further than the local grocery.

Office Depot admits it hasn't been taking care of business when it comes to its retail store customers. The big-box retail concept offering thousands of office supply products was no longer working. "Our model was broken," said Kevin Peters, head of the retail division for Boca Raton, Fla.-based Office Depot.

Costco is selling a 6.77 carat diamond solitaire ring for $1 million. The million dollar diamond ring is a bargain, having been valued at £1.6 million by the International Gemological Institute. Costco sells everything from t-bone steak to toilet paper and so adding a diamond ring to its product portfolio may seem a little strange from the onset.

For several years, Costco has been promoting itself as way to for brides and grooms to create a memorable wedding day without busting the bank. The warehouse club store sells everything from engagement rings to invitations and flowers to the honeymoon trip.

The top February same-store sales gains should come from warehouse club operator Costco and Saks, with estimated increases of 7.3 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. 

Bernadette Clark used to visit Wal-Mart twice a week. Now it's twice a month. She got fed up last year when Wal-Mart stopped stocking some of her favorite brands and she couldn't count on low prices.