Retail

Sales were higher than expected in the second quarter for Framingham-based TJX Cos., the parent of off-price retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods said Tuesday. Net sales of $7.4 billion rose 6 percent over the second quarter of 2014.

Unlike other goods, the tax savings on cell phone sales in Massachusetts this weekend will be greater than the 6.25 percent tax holiday markdown on most other products.

<i>(Updated Wednesday at 8:55 a.m.)</i> Wegmans will open a second Central Massachusetts supermarket in 2017, moving into a prime spot in the Natick Mall that will be vacated by JC Penney, the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocery store chain announced Tuesday.

Massachusetts lawmakers on Wednesday poured millions of dollars back into the state budget over Gov. Charlie Baker's objections and approved a two-day tax holiday designed to trade expected revenues to the state for an anticipated burst of consumer spending in mid-August.

The Framingham-based TJX Cos. will buy an Australian retailer, Trade Secret, for approximately $58.5 million, TJX announced Wednesday.

The House and Senate plan to meet Wednesday in rare simultaneous formal sessions with the goal of restoring vetoed spending to the state budget, reconciling unresolved policy matters in the annual spending plan, and considering a bill suspending the 6.25 percent sales tax for two days in August to spur retail sales.

Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough and the Auburn Mall are among 12 shopping sites in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that have added charging stations for drivers of electric vehicles, the malls' owner said.

With just about three weeks until August and the anticipated summer recess, the clock is ticking on...

Consumers were unexpectedly cautious in June, according to data released by the federal government Tuesday.

Mindful of the lack of action on sales tax holiday legislation, Massachusetts retailers on Tuesday called for a tax-free weekend on Aug. 15-16, which they argue would help retailers capture some business that is flowing to sales-tax-free New Hampshire or occurring online in an often tax-free environment.