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A bill that would grant online retailer Amazon a 15-month exemption from collecting New Jersey sales tax if the company invests $130 million in a facility in the state advanced Monday after emotional testimony from retailers opposed to the plan. The owners of two book stores, an electronics outlet and a home appliance vendor told the committee they already struggle to compete with online retailers such as Amazon because federal law grants them exemption from collecting sales tax, and further state benefits to online vendors would kill more local retail jobs. Debbie Schaeffer, owner of Mrs. G TV &

Vera Wang is busting out something new: her first color cosmetics line. In April the bridal guru will release a 74-piece makeup collection under her Simply Vera Vera Wang range for Kohl's, which will be the exclusive retailer.

Kohl's has announced the grand opening of eight new stores in seven states, including Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. The retailer, which now operates 1,134 stores in 49 states, says the new units will create 1,000 new jobs. Kohl's reported it will also remodel 50 stores this year. 

One King's Lane is becoming the latest e-commerce site to expand from its flash-sale roots. The furniture and home goods site plans to launch an eBay-like marketplace called Vintage and Market Finds. It will let third-party designers post antique and vintage products on the site, but unlike eBay, all the items will be at fixed prices and will be vetted by a One King's Lane team.

shopkick has announced the success of Black Friday 2, an experimental initiative designed to significantly boost foot traffic to partner retail stores using holiday tactics during normal, nonpeak shopping days throughout the year. 

Yoga devotee Sara Walther wears a pair of Lululemon yoga pants with a Athleta convertible top to practice yoga at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago. (Heather Charles/Chicago Tribune file photo) Maps Athleta, the trendy women’s activewear catalog, plans to open its first Chicago store on April 4, the retailer announced in an email to customers. The 3,800-square-foot store, at 3415 N. Southport Ave. in Lakeview, is part of owner Gap Inc.’s campaign to move the online merchant into brick-and-mortar stores. Gap bought the Petaluma, Calif.-based company in 2008 for $150 million and pegged it as a growth vehicle. Athleta

Amazon.com won't be required to start collecting sales tax on purchases made by Arizona residents after the state Senate soundly rejected a proposal that supporters argued was essential to protect local employers.

Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group and U.S. luxury goods producer Tiffany & Co. are claiming damages from one another in the wake of a failed alliance. The two companies formed an alliance in late 2007 to spur the development, production and global distribution of Tiffany brand watches. The alliance, which included setting up Tiffany Watch Co, ended last September. This was due to a breach of contract by Tiffany, Swatch said, adding that the damages sought include a claim for lost profits. Following the breakup, Tiffany Watch Co. will wind down its business over two years.

New York -- Barnes & Noble has named former Cablevision executive Michael P. Huseby as CFO. Huseby, who replaces interim CFO Allen Lindstrom, was executive VP and CFO of cable company Cablevision Systems Corp from 2004 to 2011.

Wal-Mart’s new Get on the Shelf contest, in which suppliers post videos of new products and consumers vote on them, has attracted 274,000 total votes as of Sunday, March 11. Diverse products have trended in the initial days of voting including datil pepper salt from combat veterans; eyeglass repair kit to fix glasses in 30 seconds; and a fork specifically designed for dogs.