NEW YORK – Clothing maker Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. said Monday it has agreed to buy Tommy Hilfiger in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $3 billion that will put the designer name under the same ownership as Calvin Klein.

WASHINGTON – Retail sales posted a surprising increase in February as consumers did not let major snowstorms stop them from storming the malls. The advance, the biggest since November, provided hope that the recovery from the Great Recession is gaining momentum.

WASHINGTON – The foreclosure crisis isn't over, but the pace of growth may finally be slowing down.

WASHINGTON – The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits slipped last week, the latest sign the employment picture is slowly brightening.

NEW YORK – Bank of America customers will soon be unable to spend more than they have in the accounts linked to their debit cards. It's a step that may become a common move ahead of new regulations limiting overdraft fees.

MIAMI – Toyota owners claiming that massive safety recalls are causing the value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the Japanese auto giant $3 billion or more, according to an Associated Press review of cases, legal precedent and interviews with experts.

TOKYO – Sony Corp. said Tuesday it will start selling 3-D televisions in June, joining a competitive industrywide push to convince consumers to embrace the technology for their living rooms.

CINCINNATI – The Kroger Co.'s profit fell 27 percent in the fourth quarter, even as sales rose with a boost from the grocer's gasoline incentives for regular customers.