Macy’s swung back to a profit in its second quarter but suffered yet another sales decline as inflationary weary shoppers rein in spending, with their focus increasingly on buying the essentials.

Macy’s sales and profits fell during the first quarter as higher costs and other financial challenges had customers pulling back on spending.

Macy’s said Wednesday it has named two independent directors to its board that were pushed by activist investor Arkhouse Management, ending a proxy fight that aimed to replace most of the board and to acquire the iconic chain.

Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management are upping their offer to acquire Macy’s in a deal now valued at $6.6 billion.

Arkhouse Management is nominating nine people for Macy’s board of directors, igniting a proxy battle after the department store operator rejected a $5.8 billion takeover offer from the investment firm and Brigade Capital Management.

Philadelphia police say a man who had tried to steal merchandise from a department store returned 15 minutes later and stabbed two security guards, killing one and injuring the other.

Retailers are kicking off the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season on Friday with a bevy of discounts and other enticements.

Kohl’s reported on Wednesday that profits dropped nearly 60% on weak sales in the second quarter, joining a slew of retailers that are wrestling with shoppers’ cautious spending in a challenging economy.

Macy’s, Target and Dollar General are warning investors their sales will suffer this year as consumers shift spending to essentials.

Asian stock markets are following Wall Street higher ahead of an update on the U.S. jobs market.

Macy’s says Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette plans to retire and will be succeeded by Bloomingdale’s Chairman and CEO Tony Spring in February.

The latest earnings reports from Macy’s and Best Buy show that consumers are still cutting back their spending on clothing and gadgets as inflationary pressures on everything from food to gas are straining household budgets.

Macy’s is tempering its sales outlook for the fiscal fourth quarter after shoppers spent less than expected during the lull between Thanksgiving weekend and the final days before Christmas.

Results from Macy’s, Kohl’s and Gap have further underscored the cloudy picture for U.S. retailers heading into the start of the holiday season.

Nordstrom has joined Macy’s in cutting its annual outlook for profit and sales despite second-quarter results that topped Wall Street forecasts.

Macy’s has partnered with WHP Global to bring the Toys”R”Us brand to every Macy’s store in America.

Before looking ahead to next year and America’s 247th birthday in 2023, here are some photos of fireworks displays in New York City, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and Los Angeles on Monday night.

Shoppers’ return to occasion dressing helped to power Macy’s fiscal first-quarter results.

Macy’s is reporting strong fourth-quarter sales and profits that exceeded Wall Street estimates even as the department store chain faced numerous challenges from supply chain issues to labor shortages and inflation.

Fueled by pay gains, solid hiring and enhanced savings, Americans sharply ramped up their spending at retail stores last month in a sign that many consumers remain unfazed by rising inflation.

Americans overlooked shortages, spiking prices and uncertainty over the omicron variant to break spending records during the critical holiday shopping season.

Holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years, even as shoppers grappled with higher prices, product shortages and a raging new COVID-19 variant in the last few weeks of the season, according to one spending measure.

Americans slowed their spending from October to November but still continued to shop ahead of the critical holiday season, brushing off rising prices and shortages.

Giant balloons once again wafted through miles of Manhattan, high school and college marching bands from around the country were back, and so were the crowds at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic.

Department store chains Macy’s and Kohl’s delivered strong results for the fiscal third quarter as shoppers go back to buying dresses and other goods that fell to the bottom of the shopping list when the pandemic struck.

U.S. consumer prices rose a lower-than-expected 0.3% last month, the smallest monthly increase n seven months and a hopeful sign that inflation pressures may be cooling.

A return, at least temporarily, to near normalcy is giving a boost two of America’s largest department stores hit by the pandemic last year.

Americans cut back on their spending last month as a surge in COVID-19 cases kept people away from stores.

Americans spent more last month on clothing and dining out as the economy opened up amid fewer pandemic-related restrictions.

More than 8 million television viewers took in NBC's coverage of the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks on Sunday.

After a year lost to the coronavirus, New York City’s most well-known Fourth of July traditions were back.

At Walmart, sales of teeth whitener are popping as customers take their masks off.

Macy’s emerged from an unprecedented year with a surprising swing back into the profit column, and it boosted its guidance for all of 2021.

Students commute between classes at Downtown Burlington High School, Monday, March 22, 2021, in Burlington, Vt. Students who once shopped at a downtown mall are now attending high school in the mall's former Macy's department store, taking escalators to and from classes. The existing Burlington High School was closed last August after PCBs were found in the building. The Downtown Burlington High School opened March 4, about six months after school administrators closed the existing school, just under 2 miles away, because toxic industrial chemicals known as PCBs were found in the building and soil during renovations. As school officials looked for space where students could attend school in-person, they eventually eyed the empty department store, which closed in 2018. “It's weird but cool at the same time,” said freshman Moses Doe, 15, who said he and his family shopped plenty at Macy's before it became his school.

The department store chain said Tuesday, Feb. 23 it anticipates 2021 as a recovery and rebuilding year as the company sets a foundation for growth. In the context of a year spent under the weight of a pandemic, that was seen as a pretty good ending to 2020 for the besieged department store. “Macy’s, Inc. anticipates 2021 as a recovery and rebuilding year as the company sets a foundation for growth, " the department store said in its release. Sales at stores opened at least a year fell 17%, but online sales rose 21%. Elevated online sales may be here to stay.

Wauwatosa Police chief Barry Weber speaks at a news conference, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Wauwatosa, Wis. Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wis., and police are still searching for the shooter. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)WAUWATOSA, Wis. – Police searched Friday evening for the suspect in a shooting at a suburban Milwaukee mall that left seven adults and a teenager injured. “Preliminary statements from witnesses indicate that the shooter is a white male in his 20s or 30s,” Weber told reporters. Police said Cole was fleeing from police; Mensah, who is also Black, said he shot Cole because Cole pointed a gun at him.

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2019, file photo a shopper leaves a Macy's department store with bags in both hands during Black Friday shopping in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)NEW YORK – Macy's swung to a quarterly loss and sales tumbled 22% as the department store chain struggled to bring shoppers back to stores during a pandemic. The New York company furloughed a majority of its employees. And they are threatening traditional department stores at multiple levels. But the department store has a heavy presence in malls, which had been struggling long before COVID-19.

FILE - Santa Claus waves during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 28, 2019, in New York. Macy's said Santa Claus won't be greeting kids at its flagship New York store this year due to the coronavirus, interrupting a holiday tradition started nearly 160 years ago. However, Macy's said the jolly old man will still appear at the end of the televised Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. But he will still appear at the end of the televised Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, the company said. Macy's has been using Santa Claus to draw crowds to its New York store since the early 1860s, calling itself “The Home of Santa Claus" for decades.

TROY, Mich – Two Troy police officers were physically abused by a Detroit man suspected of stealing from Macy’s at the Somerset Collection. On Sunday at around 2:20 p.m. officers were called to the Macy’s store over a retail fraud suspect not cooperating with employees. Store employees reportedly observed the 32-year-old Detroit man conceal merchandise and then attempt to leave the store without paying. When officers tried to take the man into custody, he punched one of the officers in the face with a closed fist. Another officer assisted and the suspect also punched him in the face.

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 1995 file photo Woody Woodpecker leads a line of other balloons and floats into New York's Times Square during the 69th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. A Macy's Thanksgiving parade reimagined for the coronavirus pandemic will feature floats, performers and giant balloons parading along a one-block stretch of 34th Street in front of the retailer's flagship Manhattan store, Macy's officials announced Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. The spectacle will be broadcast as usual from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern time on NBC and will include both live and recorded elements, Macy's officials said. The 2 1/2-mile Thanksgiving parade route will be axed in favor of a short stroll for the cameras, Macy’s spokesperson Orlando Veras said. Mayor Bill de Blasio thanked Macy's officials for their effort to stage the parade despite COVID-19 restrictions.

With the Fourth of July just days away, many people are wondering how they will get their fill of fireworks in this era of social distancing. Well, you can still see a spectacular sky display, along with performances by music stars all from the comfort and safety of your own home. The 44th Annual Macys 4th of July Fireworks show in New York City will be broadcast on Saturday, July 4th, from 8 to 10 pm on Local 4. New this year, the big fireworks show will be broken up into several firework displays throughout the five boroughs of New York. According to Dreyer, who lives in the city, they have been setting off fireworks throughout the city randomly and unannounced.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. This article is sponsored by MacysThere are new ways to shop at Macys. Host Jason Carr spoke with Macys store manager Sheila Fisher, about the new Macys mobile app and new in-store procedures. The Jewelry counter will still allow customers to try on the jewelry but hand sanitizer will be available for use. For more information visit Macys.comWatch the video to learn more about new ways to shop at Macys.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. This article is sponsored by MacysLocal Macys stores are reopening and youll notice some big changes. Customers can round up to the nearest dollar to donate to local food banks. In March, Macys raised over $17,000 to support local food banks. For more information visit, Macys.comWatch the video to learn more about your new shopping experience at Macys.

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Mich. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton charged an 18-year-old Mount Morris Township man in the assault of a manager at the Macys department store in the Genesee Valley Center in Flint Township. In surveillance video obtained from Macys by Flint Township police, Palmer is seen walking around the store; he then approaches and punches the manager in the head from behind knocking him to the floor. The video shows Palmer continuing to strike the manager while he is on the floor. Leyton indicated that despite public comments on social media, the police investigation did not uncover any evidence of provocation by the store manager. He also said there is no audio on the Macys store surveillance video contrary to what some had indicated.

Following the Centers for Disease Control, state and local guidance, select Macys stores will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering contact-free curbside pick-up. We are ready to welcome our customers back to Macys stores in the metro Detroit area, said Marc Mastronardi, chief stores officer at Macys. Contact-Free Curbside Pick-upCustomers who prefer the ease of pick-up can now utilize contact-free curbside service at select Macys locations. Items bought for Store Pick-Up on macys.com or the Macys mobile app will be eligible for free curbside pick-up Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Open Macys Locations in the area:Available In-Store Shopping, Curbside Delivery and Pick-Up:

NEW YORK Late last year, Best Buy began testing curbside pickup at select stores as a way to respond to customer needs. Macys sales were down 45% and the company says it could have a loss of at least $1 billion in the quarter. Still, it shows how the pandemic is deepening the divide between big box stores and mall-based clothing chains. Target's CEO Brian Cornell said its stores were directly involved in supplying goods for 80% of online sales. It expects another 80 Macys stores to open for Memorial Day weekend and most of its stores, including its flagship stores in Manhattan, to open in mid-June.

How much do you know about Thanksgiving Day parades?

Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, Georgia decorated as the Starcourt Mall from Stranger Things 3. (CNN) - The Georgia mall featured in the third season of the Netflix show "Stranger Things" is up for sale. Though the show painted the idea of a crowded shopping center, the once bustling suburban mall in Duluth, Georgia, is so empty that a decomposing body went unnoticed for two weeks in 2017. Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District Executive Director Joe Allen confirmed the sale to The Gwinnett Daily Post. However, Moonbeam only owns the largest chunk of Gwinnett Place Mall.

Speaking of Halloween, there's a big debate in my house: How should my daughter dress? We received an email tip (feel free to drop me a line, too) about a blighted house. Let's just say a dog would've added more chaos, so Eunice went to dog day care that day. Yes, I support dog day care. We took a look at a concerning story involving the health of pets -- specifically pets for sale at Petland in Novi.

Sales at Target stores open at least a year increased 3.4% during the summer quarter and profit rose, Target said Wednesday. Target beat Wall Street's predictions for the recent quarter and raised its profit forecast for the rest of the year. Macy's last week said that sales at stores open at least a year inched up but profit fell 48% during its most recent quarter. Target, Walmart and discount clothing chains such as TJMaxx are gaining market share against these retailers. Target and Walmart operate stores away from malls, an advantage because foot traffic is slowing at malls around the country.

It's the latest sign of pressure on the battered department store sector. Macy's profit fell 48% during its spring quarter compared with the same period a year ago, the company said in earnings on Wednesday. During the spring, Macy's said it had a "fashion miss" in its key private-label athletic brand and struggled to sell warm weather gear. Sales at department stores dropped 4.3% over the past six months compared with a year prior, the Commerce Department said in July. Macy's has tried to combat the rise off discount chains by opening Macy's Backstage, its own lower-priced arm, within some stores.

DETROIT - Here's what is coming up on Local 4 News at 4:Mueller testimonyA massive cross-examination for the former special counsel Robert Mueller. Presidential forumPresidential politics took center stage Wednesday at the NAACP National Convention in Detroit. Breast implant recallWe're tracking a new breast implant recall in connection to a cancer risk. Macy's platesPlates from Macy's are getting national attention on social media after many expressed outrage. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

The decision came in response to a customer's tweet criticizing the plates' message Sunday night. The $9.50 plates, designed by a company called Pourtions, feature three circles of increasing sizes in which one might place their food. The circles are labeled "skinny jeans," "favorite jeans" and "mom jeans." She tweeted a photo and asked: "How can I get these plates from Macy's banned in all 50 states?" After reviewing the complaint, we quickly removed the plates, which were only in our STORY at Macy's location in Herald Square."

Menards has decided to keep store doors closed on Thanksgiving Day. With this in mind, we decided to remain closed on Thanksgiving Day so you, as well as our Team Members, can celebrate this joyous time with family and friends. More and more retailers are starting their holiday shopping deals early - opening on Thanksgiving day. "A little bit earlier, a little bit earlier. Most of the big chain retailers will be open for at least a few hours this Thanksgiving Day.

The company has confirmed most of its stores will open nationwide at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening. More and more retailers have started opening their doors on the actual Thanksgiving holiday. While Macy's opened stores at midnight on Black Friday, they've been closed on the actual holiday for 155 years. Macy's is promising limited-time special in every department to lure holiday shoppers into its stores on Thanksgiving night. Shopping at Macy's on Black Friday means having the opportunity to purchase the most sought-after products at unbelievable savings."