Retail

Half a century after Worcester razed much of downtown to make way for the Galleria, the city is encouraging development concepts similar to what once was torn down.

Ed Russo founded Lock 50 in Worcester's Canal District a year ago, accelerating his plans for a relaxing retirement at the urging of his son.

Worcester's Notre Dame des Canadiens Church could be demolished in favor of a residential-retail development if the city approves a plan from the same group behind the 145 Front St. project.

Office-supply retailer Staples has developed a robotic handling system for its fulfillment centers that it expects to roll out over the next 24 months.

TJX says Homesense will offer "on-trend, high-quality home merchandise at a great value" that will complement, not compete with, its 600-store sister chain, HomeGoods.

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, set to play a key role in the rollout of a legal marijuana industry in Massachusetts, said Tuesday she has "no idea" whether legal pot shops will be open by next July, as envisioned by policymakers.

With August approaching, Massachusetts retailers and shoppers are still waiting to see if they'll be granted a two-day break from the state sales tax or if Beacon Hill will skip the popular holiday for the second straight year.

Tree House Brewing Co.'s highly anticipated new brewery in Charlton opened for the first time over the weekend.

A proposed $6.9-billion acquisition to take Staples private is being contested by several law firms saying Staples' board of directors may have violated their fiduciary duty in approving the deal.

Now more than a full week beyond its deadline, the conference committee hashing out changes to the legal marijuana law is expected to resume its negotiations Monday afternoon.