Legal

Amazon, Bookstore Group Settle Suit Over Advertising Claims
February 28, 2012

Amazon.com and a trade group for college bookstores settled a lawsuit over Amazon's advertising for textbook discounts, the group said. Amazon was advertising discounts of 30 percent on new college textbooks and 90 percent on used ones. In May, Amazon asked a federal court in Seattle to declare that its advertising wasn't false or misleading.

Billabong Ends Talks After Rejecting Takeover
February 28, 2012

Billabong, Australia's largest surfwear company, ended talks with TPG Capital after rejecting a sweetened $906 million takeover offer. The buyout firm was prepared to raise its bid 10 percent to gain access to the retailer's accounts, Billabong said in a statement.

Vermont Country Store Sues to Protect its Unique Catalog
February 27, 2012

The Vermont Country Store is suing an Indiana catalog company for copying its trademarks, slogan, look, layout and the content of its unique catalog. In its lawsuit, Vermont Country Store claims that DRG Texas, L.P, which publishes Good Old Days Magazine, designed the catalog to confuse consumers to believe their products are associated with the Vermont Country Store.

Fuller Brush Company Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
February 23, 2012

The Fuller Brush Company announced that it's filed protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. According to Chief Restructuring Officer Lawrence Perkins, the filing was a necessary means to effectuate a reorganization of the company in an effort to return it to profitability and restructure its balance sheet.

NRF Welcomes Obama Backing of Corporate Tax Reform
February 23, 2012

The National Retail Federation welcomed President Obama's proposal for business tax reform as a positive step toward fundamental reform of the U.S. tax code, and pledged to work with the White House and Congress to win passage of legislation that would significantly lower rates in order to help retailers and other businesses create jobs.

Should Barneys Survive its Bankruptcy Battle?
February 22, 2012

While rumors of Barneys imminent restructuring began swirling in early February, it's not the first time such chatter has made the rounds in recent years. When thinking about restructuring strategies and tactics in retail businesses, start with the following question: Does the customer still care about this business model?

Apple Workers in China Get 25% Pay Raise
February 20, 2012

Apple's main manufacturing partner in China, Foxconn, is paying workers up to an extra 25 percent following widespread criticism of its labor practices.

Apple's China Crisis: Labor Inspections Begin as iPad Spat Heats Up
February 17, 2012

In the ongoing news of worker abuse and suicide at Apple's top eight suppliers in China, with Foxconn Technology Group's factories most prominent in the glaring international spotlight, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) has begun its on-site inspections of conditions at factories at Apple's behest, and the initial reports are better than expected.