Retail stocks rise as Goldman Sachs added Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. to its America's conviction buy list. American Apparel Inc. shares were also up slightly after its third-quarter profit was a penny above Wall Street expectations.

Special purpose corporation NRDC Acquisition is looking to convert from blank check to REIT, buying distressed retail properties.

U.S. stock futures rose Thursday as a surprise rise in German and French output in the second quarter combined with the more upbeat assessment from the Federal Reserve to buoy the case for a world economy moving past its worst.

Among the stocks expected to see active trading Thursday are Dr. Pepper Snapple, Estee Lauder, Kohlâ??s and Walmart.

Retail has been a slippery slope of late. But check out the difference in prices of just a year ago.