This week many large chain retail stores reported their earnings for the second quarter. While the numbers are down, they are beating analysts' expectations. That must be a good thing, right? Helping us decipher the results is New York Times business reporter Stephanie Rosenbloom.

For retailers November and December were grim, but they’re likely to look like the good old days compared with the post-holiday months. New York Times reporter Stephanie Rosenbloom joins The Takeaway with her analysis of the alarming facts and figures on retail sales.

Retailers were not supposed to begin filing for bankruptcy until after January 1. But it seems the fallout from poor holiday sales has already begun. On Monday, the Parent Company became the first well-known retailer to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after Christmas. New York Times reporter Stephanie Rosenbloom joins The Takeaway with the details.