Spring Thaws And Super Stores: Time to hit the shops!

Is it spring yet? Knowing that March 22 is around the corner is keeping me going through this long, stormy winter. Luckily, though, the sun seems to be shining on those of us in the retail business. As I write this, it's too early for February sales figures, but overall economic trends remain positive. The U.S. economy expanded 2.8% last year, according to the Commerce Department, the most in five years, and reversing a 2.6% contraction in 2009.