NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Retail stocks opened lower Thursday, led by Limited Brands Inc. and Sears Holdings Corp., against lingering concerns about the pace of economic recovery as jobless claims continued to hover above 500,000 for a 53rd straight week.

Williams-Sonoma Inc. swings to a third-quarter profit and raises its fourth-quarter and full-year outlooks.

A roundup of shares likely to see active trading in Thursday's session.

Some retailers are putting up some amazing numbers online, and it could point towards successful retail plays.

When last we caught up with researcher Jim Taylor vice chairman of The Harrison Group he talked all about the emerging new resourcefulness of consumers. This week delivering an update on the behavior of affluent Americans he said the recession may be “officially” over but household behavior has fundamentally changed forever.In a September update of the Study of Affluence and Wealth in America conducted for American Express (AXP) Publishing only 46% are extremely or very optimistic about their children’s future. And these are the families that have been hurt the least by the downturn.“People remain financially insecure ” Taylor ...

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Benchmark Journal.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Ridgewater Equity (RWE).