Michael Finarelli

With holiday same store sales down nearly 1%, the seemingly reborn specialty retailer delivered a chilling look today at a weaker than expected holiday shopping period. While fortunate investors have seen startling gains over the past year in Best Buy's shares, should they take today's news as an opportunity to double down or should they get out while they still can?

Innovation is booming at the Hershey Company. In fact, it recently announced the introduction of a new line of Chocolate spreads potentially taking aim at Ferraro's, maker of Nutella, rapid growth in the United States. Will Hershey succeed?

With all of the missteps of the past several years, Christmas can't come soon enough for J.C. Penney shareholders. Now on the heels of positive momentum, the company may finally break through the icy chill that has pushed customers into the warm embrace of rivals Kohl's and Macy's. Is Myron Ullman righting the ship? And what should investors expect for 2014?

Amid a strengthening domestic housing market and operational improvements, Home Depot continues to surpass expectations as it blew both top and bottom-line estimates out of the water. Will Lowe's follow their largest rival's lead when they report tomorrow morning before the opening bell?

In the wake of former CEO Ron Johnson's misplaced revitalization plan that pushed away loyal customers in droves, J.C. Penney has struggled to right the ship. Will current CEO Myron Ullman's strategy ultimately pay off for the embattled icon of American retail? Or will peers, such as Macy's, continue to capitalize on their precarious situation?

Best Buy shares have risen a staggering 290% over the past 52 weeks. That fact alone lends itself to the seeming success of CEO Hubert Joly's Renew Blue turnaround plan. But if you think the stock will continue to race skywards, you may want to consider not only staggering competitive threats from e-commerce leader Amazon.com, but also the probability of continued share price gains.

The apparel retail space has been a dark and dismal place for shareholders of struggling companies, such as Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters, as of late. Yet, amidst the gloom and doom, Urban Outfitters has stood out as a rare ray of light. Find out why and whether or not it's sustainable.

Starbucks has recently been ordered to pay Mondelez International $2.23 billion for severing a contract to sell the the company's iconic coffee in grocery stores. As shareholders face the drain in cash, a restated loss, and even a small debt issuance to help cover the fees, one can only wonder if the decision to walk away back in 2010 was the best course of action.

As the major console manufacturers, Sony and Microsoft, battle for the top spot on your holiday shopping list this year, be sure to get the scoop on what sets the PS4 apart.