Big-box store closures continued to drive up the vacancy rate along northern New Jersey's six major retail corridors in the past year, according to an annual survey by Old Bridge-based retail real estate broker R.J. Brunelli & Co.

While the recession propelled growth in New Jersey's resale market by creating an influx of budget-conscious consumers, industry experts believe supply-side strategies will stimulate further growth, even as the economy improves.

Party goods distributor and retailer Party City Holdings Inc., which has its corporate headquarters in Rockaway, today announced private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P., in Boston, acquired a majority stake in the company for $2.7 billion.

By the end of this year, Mars Chocolate, in Hackettstown, expects to be the largest user of certified cocoa in the world.

Union-based home furnishings retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. announced it bought Linen Holdings LLC, in Gibbsboro, for approximately $105 million in cash on Friday — its second acquisition in four weeks.

Amazon.com will invest $130 million to construct two 1.2 million-square-foot fulfillment distribution centers and create 1,500 full-time jobs in New Jersey next year, Gov. Chris Christie announced today, also noting the retail giant will begin to collect tax on Garden State sales.
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While bar and restaurant owners in New Jersey may think business is picking up, they could still lose thousands of dollars in sales each week from unnecessary inventory and inaccurate beer pouring, according to Sabino Rodano, a co-owner of the Hoboken branch of beverage inventory management company BevIntel...