Retail

Low gasoline prices drove retail sales in the United States down 0.8 percent in January, according to government data released Thursday.

RadioShack plans to close all but four of its Central Massachusetts stores as part of the electronics retailer's bankruptcy protection.

Framingham-based Staples Inc. is buying its chief rival, Office Depot, in a deal valued at about $6.3 billion, the companies announced Wednesday morning.

Temp Air Inc., which makes and installs temporary HVAC systems, has moved its Massachusetts operations from along the 495 belt in Marlborough to Worcester.

The head of Rotmans Furniture in Worcester has launched a Boston-based distribution company that aims to sell eco-friendly materials and components for the home furnishings, apparel and other markets.

Ronald L. Sargent, chairman and CEO of Staples Inc., has chosen not to accept his 2.5 percent base salary raise for 2014, Staples said in a statement Wednesday. The raise had previously been cleared by the company's board.

Town officials are intrigued by a proposal to expand Framingham's only brewery, Jack's Abby Brewing, inside a building formerly occupied Dennison Manufacturing Co., the paper products manufacturer that was once the town's economic engine. Jack Hendler, who owns and operates the Morton Street brewery with his brothers, said Jack's Abby draws customers from near and far, and has outgrown its current space of about 17,000 square feet. With 25,000 visitors last year, the Hendlers are hoping to expand production, tastings and tours, and add a restaurant and taproom in a 67,000-square-foot space in one of two buildings at 100 Clinton St., part of Dennison's former complex that was active from 1897 until it merged with Avery Corp. in 1990 to become Avery Dennison.

Retail sales in the United States plunged nearly a full percent in December, adding to investor concerns about the U.S. and global economies.

Office products retailer Staples of Framingham has reached agreement on a multi-year contract extension with CommerceHub of Albany, N.Y., which helps companies deliver their orders, according to a statement from Staples.

In an update on a data security breach that occurred late this summer, Framingham-based office supply retailer Staples Inc. announced Friday that up to 1.16 million payment cards may have been impacted, with some of the transactions occurring at the Shrewsbury store at 571 Boston Turnpike.