Shopping surge came ‘too late and too little’

Shoppers flocked to stores for post-Christmas sales Thursday as merchants sought to clear out leftovers to make room for spring merchandise and recoup some lost sales in a season that is expected to be the weakest in at least three decades.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said in a prerecorded call Thursday that it had reduced its December forecast for sales at stores opened at least a year, known as same-store sales, as the buying acceleration came “too late and too little” to meet its monthly goal.

Above, shoppers juggle price-reduced Christmas cards and wrapping paper as they wait in line to pay Thursday at Bloomingdale’s in New York.

Airlines

Delta to limit ability to change travel plans

Delta Air Lines said Thursday that most passengers who want to change their travel plans no longer would be able to stand by and wait for a seat to open.

Customers instead will have to get a confirmed reservation on a different flight, including connecting flights, provided that seats are open. They will have that option on most restricted fares, the airline said.

The change, which takes effect March 1, is designed to goad business travelers into buying more expensive tickets, which come with the option of changing flight plans.

International

Euro hits new high

The euro rose to its highest level against the dollar in about three years Thursday as jitters about North Korea’s nuclear program helped push the dollar down.

The 12-nation currency reached $1.0364 on European markets before slipping to $1.0341 by afternoon. That peak was the highest since Jan. 12, 2000, when the euro hit $1.0370.

Later in New York trading, the euro gained even more ground, peaking at $1.0375 before receding to $1.0362 late in the day. That compared with $1.0300 late Tuesday.

Kansas City

Tippin’s to close six sites

Tippin’s Restaurants Inc., the privately owned company known for its made-from-scratch pies and cheesecakes, said Thursday it had permanently closed its four suburban St. Louis eateries and two of its six sites in the Kansas City area.

In a statement, James Kerwin, president of the company based in Overland Park, blamed the closures on declining restaurant sales, due largely to the sputtering economy, and “the usual slowdown expected for the coming winter months.”

The Kansas City closings were in north and south Kansas City. The company’s Web site said Thursday that Tippin’s had roughly 1,500 employees in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.