Use of mobile devices continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and local business owners should be taking notice now more than ever. A new “Mobile Path to Purchase” study conducted by Nielsen tracked what consumers are doing with their mobile devices. According to the study, consumers show a strong preference for finding information related to local contact and purchases, such as looking up a business location, accessing map and driving directions and calling a business. more

A stormwater-culvert problem that’s dragged on for approximately 20 years, causing drainage trouble for businesses in a long-established neighborhood in Bristol, will finally be resolved thanks to the Tanyard Brook Culvert replacement project. more

Brickley’s Ice Cream owner Steve Groffi has had, for the last seven years, a front-row seat to a town’s cultural revitalization from his shop’s front door on Wakefield’s Main Street, in South Kingstown. more

Ross-Simons jewelers celebrated its 60th anniversary as a global brand on Friday at its Cranston headquarters. more

Juvenile health, safety and wellness product maker Summer Infant Inc. named Paul Francese as its new chief financial officer, the company announced Thursday. more

United Natural Foods Inc.’ profit rose 19 percent to $91.3 million, or $1.86 cents per diluted share, during the fiscal year ended July 28, 2012, from $76.7 million, or $1.60 per diluted share, during the fiscal year ended July 30, 2011. more

Alex and Ani LLC has committed to donate $1 million to Rhode Island College. The award, announced Tuesday, will be paid in $100,000 increments annually over 10 years. more

Rhode Island’s gasoline prices rose 4 cents this week, after dropping last week for the first time since early July, according to AAA Southern New England. more

For many months, workers and visitors to Providence’s Downcity neighborhood have wondered what that big plastic covering on a building at the corner of Weybosset and Dorrance streets was about. more

Stuart Solup has been running Irving’s Shoe Store in Portsmouth since the 1970s, and in that time he’s had a keen view of back-to-school shopping trends. In fact, Solup says that the back-to-school season accounts for about 30 percent of his yearly business. more