Retail

With Massachusetts seemingly ready to roll the dice, Plainville and the Interstate 495 south area are suddenly poised to become the state's de facto capital for Las Vegas-style gambling. When Penn National's Plainridge Park opens next spring, it will enjoy a gambling monopoly in Massachusetts that could last — at least in the eastern half of the state — for two or three years, local officials and gambling industry experts say.

Earnings improved for Framingham-based TJX Cos. in its first quarter, but revenue growth was weaker than expected.

Profit fell 43 percent at Staples in its first quarter as the Framingham-based office supply retailer struggles to complete with e-retailers.

Framingham-based retailer Staples has debuted eight new product categories in its Dallas-area retail outlets, with a projected rollout to more than 1,000 stores across the U.S. and hundreds more in Canada.

International clothing store chain Uniqlo will open its first permanent Massachusetts store in Natick later this year, the company announced last week.

North America's largest publicly-owned shopping center operator has purchased Westmeadow Plaza in Westborough for $9 million.

Chicago-based Fitch Ratings has downgraded its assessment of Framingham-based Staples due to a reported decline of core office supply sales and weak business technology product sales.

Office supplies retailer Staples of Framingham said it will buy a Canadian digital media firm that helps retailers. The purchase price for PNI Digital Media of Vancouver, British Columbia is estimated at about $67.2 million.

Postal worker union members and community activists are slated to protest today at Staples sites around the country, including the Auburn location.

CarMax Auto Superstores has purchased more than 40 acres of land on Route 9 in Westborough and plans to open a sales and service facility at the site.