Lowe's has announced that it is closing 20 of its home-improvement stores in 15 states, with half of those locations already shuttered by the end of business yesterday. The other 10 locations will shut down in about one month's time.

For the second time this year, Whirlpool is raising its prices, citing the rising costs of materials. "It's been the biggest commodity and material cost inflation period we have ever seen," said Chairman and CEO Jeff Fettig in a call with reporters.

Vacant storefronts in American malls have reached a 10-year high. Losing out to online shopping sites as well as stand-alone retailers, stores in many malls are just as likely to feature a For Rent sign as a Sale Today sign. While online sales continue to grow, there are some products you're still better off buying in a brick-and-mortar store. Here are five products from Sears, Best Buy, Lowe's and Home Depot that have done well in our tests.

If Walmart customers find a lower price advertised elsewhere, Walmart says it will match that price at the register without requiring a copy of the competitor’s advertised price as proof.