������ý

Retail sales fell 0.4% in April, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Express-1 Expedited Solutions said its first-quarter profit plunged to $5,000, from $643,000 a year ago.

Velocity Express Corp. reported it lost $13.7 million, or $3.73 a share, in its fiscal third quarter, compared with a loss of $10.6 million, or $3.78, a year earlier.

Canadian customs broker and logistics firm Livingston International Income Fund posted a loss of C$17.3 million in the first quarter of 2009, or 64 cents per unit, compared with a profit of C$8.2 million, or 30 cents, the year before.

Slower payment of invoices and “extended receivables” is a troubling business trend of late. Slow pay restricts cash flow and could put carriers out of business — even those with otherwise excellent operations. Focused on their core business of moving freight, carriers sometimes overlook key opportunities in the critical business process that follows successful delivery.

Penske Truck Leasing Co. has retained accident management firm CEI Group to expand its capabilities for dealing with collision and claims repairs at its 16 North American collision repair centers, Penske said May 4.

Dana Holding Corp. and Menlo Worldwide Logistics said they have expanded their relationship, with the parts manufacturer asking the third-party logistics provider to handle transportation management for its Mexican operations.

SAN DIEGO — A “perfect storm” of a weak economy, high fuel prices and governmental missteps have led to a 70% drop in new-truck sales in North America, according to Jim Hebe, senior vice president of North American sales for Navistar.

Chuck Hurley, who President Obama had intended to nominate to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has withdrawn from the nomination process, the Associated Press reported.