The National Retail Federation increased its Christmas retail sales growth forecast to 3.8 percent year-over-year from its earlier 2.8 percent prediction — and if history is any indicator, New Jersey retailers will see that same benefit.

New Jersey retailers are spending a "modest" amount more than last year to attract shoppers despite a national survey showing holiday marketing and advertising spending is flat this year at a majority of companies across the country.

Early returns for Cyber Monday indicate another year of record-breaking Internet sales, which means New Jersey and its shops are missing out on even more of the business done by online-only retailers that do not collect sales tax, according to one expert.

After nearly three decades in the electronics business, a Springfield-based electronics retailer is on its way out.

The still-weak economy continues to squeeze state and municipal governments, which have less to work with as long-established revenue streams dry up in the prolonged recovery.

The loss of revenue for the state and the loss of competition for retailers in New Jersey "compounds daily," said New Jersey Retail Merchants Association president John Holub, because of online retailers that avoid the 7 percent sales tax.

By tablet, smartphone or computer, at work or at home, more than 122 million Americans are expected to do some holiday shopping on Cyber Monday. As retailers hope for big returns, employers hope productivity does not fall off the charts today and throughout the season, with an executive saying companies regard it as more of a nuisance...

Retail experts have been predicting for months that the 2011 Christmas season will not provide nearly as large of an increase in sales as 2010 did, but Wells Fargo economists say optimism for this year's season doesn't need to be quite so restrained.

According to the National Retail Federation, half of Americans with smartphones will use their devices to shop this holiday season, and a well-known cartoon giraffe mascot has taken notice.