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.

Homicide detectives are investigating after a street sweeper was shot and killed outisde a Lowe’s in northwest Harris County early Friday.

Every week in April for “SpringFest” the home improvement chain is giving away garden-to-go project kits. The kits will have different themes every week. Here is the weekly schedule of kits:April 8: Lowe’s says this kit “is sponsored by Miracle-Gro” and includes recipes from cook and food stylist Amanda Frederickson. April 15: Lowe’s Mystery Garden Pinata with mystery seed packets. April 22: For Earth Day, Lowe’s will give out 500,000 tree saplingsApril 29: “Lowe’s Butterfly Quest” helps families create a butterfly garden.

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.