Kristin Thalheimer Bingham, co-owner of Dean’s Sweets in Portland, talks about preparing for the holidays and rising costs.

The National Retail Federation says theft, fraud and poor inventory management led to $95 billion in losses last year.

Sales rose 0.3% last month, but there are signs some consumers are pulling back on big-ticket items, excluding cars.

The financial services industry has a long history of spotting indicators of illegal activity in legal transactions.

Retailers are trying to get rid of excess inventory by marking down certain products. That’s likely to lure shoppers.

Supply chain problems remain an obstacle as demand picks up.

The rise of work from home means that far fewer people are coming into Velouria, a boutique Cat Wilcox co-owns.

“I’m taking a very, very big risk opening another retail location,” says Annie Lang Hartman, owner of the Michigan retail brand Wild Lettie.

With rising prices, ongoing supply chain issues and the wrong inventory, it’s a rough time to be a big-box store.

The slight decline from April to May could indicate a slowing economy — which the Federal Reserve is hoping for.