Retail

Several communities across the state, including Sudbury and Ashland, have raised the age for tobacco sales to higher than 18 years old within the past year, evidence of a slow-spreading movement that activists say will reduce cigarette use among teens.

Two former assistant managers of Marshalls stores have filed suit against TJX Cos. alleging that the Framingham-based retail giant violated federal and state wage and hour laws.

The City Council unanimously approved tax breaks Tuesday for a $38 million project to build two Downtown area hotels -- a Renaissance by Marriott at CitySquare and a Hampton Inn at Gateway Park.

Retail sales rose 0.7 percent in November, topping economists' forecasts, as sales of cars and building materials surged during the early holiday shopping season.

National auto parts retailer O'Reilly Auto Parts will be bringing at least 300 employees over the next few years to a recently purchased distribution facility in Devens.

A Malden investor has purchased the Marlborough Village Plaza for $5.68 million.

The owners of BJ's Wholesale Club are interesting in buying Hess Corp. gas stations, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the potential deal.

A retail store selling a slew of used household items like furniture, appliances, tools and antiques has leased a 2,000 square-foot space on Millbury's Elm Street – the site of the former Paul's Center Bakery.

Fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 35 percent at The TJX Cos. of Framingham based off improvements in same-store sales.

Framingham-based office retailer Staples Inc. and the U.S. Postal Service have partnered for a pilot program that brings postal services to 82 Staples stores, six of them in Central Massachusetts.