Industry
Holiday season U.S. store sales down 8 percent in 2014: RetailNext
U.S. retail store sales fell 8 percent during the 2014 holiday season despite a late shopping surge, but overall holiday sales should show a 3.5 to 4 percent rise from a year ago because of stronger online buying, analytics company Retail Next said on Wednesday.
2020 Olympics Japan: Tokyo government to energize Village with Hydrogen; First-state Home renovations, in progress
The preparations for the 2020 Olympics in Japan are in full swing. Five years before the global sports event takes place in Tokyo, Japanese authorities are allegedly busy getting ready for the big event that'll showcase the best that the capital has to offer.
McDonald's Japan apologizes after tooth, plastic found in food
McDonald's Japan (2702.T) has apologized to customers and vowed to ensure product safety after objects including a tooth and plastic were found recently in its food, the latest trouble for a fast-food chain hit by sliding sales and a shortage of french fries.
Unemployment at record low in Germany, record high in Italy
Germany's unemployment rate dropped to a record low of 6.5 percent in December while Italy's pushed up to a new high of 13.4 percent, underscoring the vast differences within the struggling euro zone economy.