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.

The Senate commerce committee on Monday unanimously voted in favor of allowing gasoline companies to offer rebates to customers in New Jersey. It now awaits its chance before the full Senate, which could come Dec. 15.

Online shopping is a great time-saver, but employees might want to think twice before using their time on the clock to do their holiday shopping.

Big-box stores across the country have raised the bar for this year's Christmas shopping rush, with many slated to open their doors at midnight Black Friday — or earlier.

According to a survey by the online small-business community Manta, nearly half of small retailers are optimistic about holiday sales this year. Sherri Cronin, executive director of Downtown Westfield Corp., said she's upbeat as well.

Status quo is just fine for Christmas shoppers, according to several institutions that watch retail closely.

Montvale-based A&P announced Thursday evening it will use $490 million from private investors to complete its bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Parsippany-based B&G Foods announced Friday it entered into a deal with Unilever to buy Culver Specialty Brands in a $325 million deal it said should immediately add to B&G's earnings and cash flow.

In a move to broaden its presence in Asia, Toys R Us announced Tuesday it has purchased a majority stake in retailer Li & Fung Group's existing business operations in China and Southeast Asia.

An injunction on the state’s escheat law is still under review in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, leaving New Jersey businesses confident they won’t have to deal with the regulations this Christmas.