IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has opened three centers of excellence in China, Mexico and India to provide clients with access to the latest technologies and processes in banking, retail and service management arenas.

U..S. stock futures are trading mildly lower heading into the open, indicative of a potentially negative start to the regular session. In overseas trading, Asian markets took a cue from Wall Street, reversing yesterday's losses, while European markets were lifted by mining issue Rio Tinto. In focus this morning are a retail earnings trifecta – featuring Sears Holdings, Big Lots, and Costco Wholesale – and General Motors' plans to cut costs.

Newegg is one of the more popular e-tailers for computer and technology products. In fact, according to Newegg, since launching in 2001, it's become the 10th biggest Internet retailer in the entire U.S. Why stop at tech?

The increase in March retail sales of 0.2 isn't much, but again we are left with alleged experts scratching their heads as despite a daily dose of nonstop gloom and doom, the U.S. economy manages to stay afloat and in this particular case the stores are improving sales.

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) today announced that it is currently in negotiations with an investment partner to sell an undivided interest in approximately half of Target's credit card receivables for about $4 billion.

An American technology-company, Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL SEHK: 4331), is going to shut its network of kiosks in the U.S. and to focus its attention upon selling products through traditional retail outlets.

A supermarket chain says it will not allow genetically-modified (GM) food in its home brand range in South Australia, because an overwhelming number of customers are opposed to GM foods.

Retail investment organisation, Centro Properties, has cut its profit forecast for next year because of the increased costs of financing.

I am not sure I will have many visitors here today. Cyber Monday now rivals Black Friday as being the major shopping day of the year. A poll by Zogby found that about three out of four holiday shoppers will do at least part of their shopping on line. So most people on the web today are looking for bargains and many small business owners are busy filling those orders.

CyberMonday.com to offer after Thanksgiving sale promotions from 550 retailers.

Paco Underhill, an internationally recognized expert on consumer shopping behavior, will be the keynote speaker at a public forum entitled “The Future of Furniture: High Definition Retailing.”

The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement store chain, sells its wholesale distribution business and plans to buy back another $22.5 billion in stock. This sale is regarded positively by investors who were disappointed with the former CEO Bob Nardelli.