The largest U.S. retail trade group is forecasting that the country's retail sales will increase anywhere between 2.5% and 3.5% this year.

Best Buy Co. posted stronger-than-expected profits, but reported a deeper-than-expected drop in revenue for the fiscal third quarter as shoppers continue to pull back on buying gadgets in an uncertain economy.

Lowe’s Cos.

Jaxon Maples is a 4-year-old boy with autism, and many days, he has trouble communicating and speaking clearly. But there is one place where those things aren’t a problem for him.

Lowe's is laying off thousands of workers. It said that workers whose jobs are being eliminated will be given transition pay and have the opportunity to apply for open roles at Lowe's. Lowe's operates more than 1,700 stores in the United States. Previously, Lowe's closed 20 US stores, exited its Mexico business and shut down its 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores in the United States. Unlike many department stores and mall-based retailers, Lowe's, Home Depot and home improvement retailers have not made mass store closures.

Here's a list of stores and restaurants that are open or closed on this 4th of July holiday. Stores open: Aldi, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Big Lots, CV, Home Depot, Kmart, Kohl's, Lowe's, Meijer, Menards, Michaels, Nordstrom and Rack, PetSmart, Sam's Club, Target, Walgreens, Walmart, Whole FoodsStores closed: CostcoRestaurants open: Applebees, Benihana, Bonefish Grill, Boston Market, Buca di Beppo, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle, IHOP, Olive Garden, Panera BreadCelebrate Independence Day with The Salvation ArmySave big at The Salvation Army thrift stores during the annual Fourth of July Sale. Visit any of the 35 southeast Michigan locations to enjoy 50 percent off men's, women's and children's clothing on Thursday, July 4. All stores will have extended hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the one day sale. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

On Wednesday, FedEx introduced SameDay Bot, a 200-pound autonomous delivery robot developed by DEKA Development & Research Corp., according to USA Today. FedEx is partnering with AutoZone, Lowe's, Pizza Hut, Target, Walgreens and Walmart so they can help make same-day, "last-mile" deliveries to local customers. Currently, FedEx offers same-day delivery service in 32 markets and 1,900 cities using FedEx employees, but the new robot would be able to deliver to customers who live in close proximity to a FedEx store. Amazon is already testing a robot called the Amazon Scout, which looks like a cooler with six wheels. These delivery robots also can't deliver packages that need a signature, so there is that, too.