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According to a poll of 9,374 shoppers, Amazon.com is tops when it comes to customer service among U.S. retailers. But all 10 retailers on this list found effective ways to win over shoppers not only with low prices, but with value-added features such as unique mobile applications, free shipping and unforgettable in-store experiences.

While most retailers have already closed their worst performing stores and taken cost-cutting measures to stay afloat, the uncertain economic climate might lead to a substantial number of store closures in the first quarter of 2012.

Walmart U.S. has delivered three consecutive months of positive same store sales. That means big plans for growth through 2013 even though operating expenditures will decrease significantly. New stores will add between 45 and 49 million square feet worldwide in the next fiscal year. The company also forecasted sales growth between 5 and 7 percent for fiscal year 2013.

New research shows that the economy hasnt been kind to most retail brands. The top 10 retail brands have lost $4.2 billion or 2 percent from the combined brand value. Find out why some retailers are bucking the trend and why others are still struggling to regain loyalty.

An overwhelming majority of Walmart shoppers no longer believe that it has the lowest prices. While the world's largest retailer is certainly not going to disappear, it seems to no longer dominate the U.S. retail landscape. Should consumer product companies re-evaluate the way they do business with Walmart?

The first 10 spots on the annual Top 100 retailer list from STORES magazine hold the same names as last year, but pressures from the uncertain economy and the impact of online retail are forcing them to make changes to stay ahead.

On the whole, customer satisfaction has not improved since the middle of 2009, and now registers its biggest drop in two years. Find out which of your customers are moving up in the ranks thanks to superb customer service and which ones have fallen from grace.

The retail giant has offered to acquire 51 percent of the shares of Massmart Holdings Limited, a managed portfolio of nine wholesale and retail chains, and one buying group. The deal will accelerate its expansion in South Africa, a high growth market.