Legal

Skechers Sues Steve Madden Over Footwear Patents
July 10, 2015 at 1:56 pm

Skechers USA Inc. said it filed a lawsuit alleging that a footwear style sold by rival Steven Madden Ltd. infringes patents for the company's walking-shoe line and other products. Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based Skechers is seeking an injunction against the Setta line of footwear sold under the Steven by Steve Madden line. Skechers also is seeking…

Procter & Gamble Settles Lawsuit Over Olay Packaging
July 9, 2015 at 2:19 pm

Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble Co. has settled a lawsuit alleging that the company used oversized packaging to make its Olay beauty products seem larger than they are. The civil complaint, which was filed by district attorneys in Riverside, Yolo, Fresno and Shasta counties in California, said the Cincinnati-based company violated California's slack fill…

Postal Union Scores a Win in War Against Staples Counters
July 7, 2015 at 2:55 pm

Whether you find postal counters at retail chain stores to be convenient or ill-conceived, it's not a sure thing they will continue. A judge found last year that the USPS violated the National Labor Relations Act by withholding certain information from the American Postal Workers Union. The Union requested the information in connection with bargaining…

Sears’ REIT Goes Public as Others Consider Similar Moves
July 7, 2015 at 2:35 pm

Seritage Growth Properties, the real estate spinoff of Sears Holdings Corp., made its debut Monday on the New York Stock Exchange and estimated that it raised about $1.6 billion from the offering. Sears, which is dealing with slumping retail sales, formed the real estate investment trust to extract more revenue from its properties. It plans…

Apple Busted for Price Fixing, Fined $450M
July 1, 2015 at 2:30 pm

A federal appeal court Tuesday upheld a ruling charging Apple of illegally conspiring to inflate e-book prices to consumers, despite a vigorous legal battle from the company. The appeal is a win for the Justice Department which accused the gadget maker in 2012 of orchestrating an abusive e-book pricing policy with book publishers. Many of…

Retailers Cringe as Obama Makes Millions More Americans Eligible for Overtime
June 30, 2015 at 2:17 pm

President Obama announced Monday night a rule change that would make millions more Americans eligible for overtime pay. The rule would raise the salary threshold below which workers automatically qualify for time-and-a-half overtime wages to $50,440 a year from $23,660, according to an op-ed article by the president in The Huffington Post. The administration has…

From Wal-Mart to J.C. Penney, Retailers Reflect Shifting U.S. Views on Gay Rights
June 29, 2015 at 4:17 pm

Three years after J.C. Penney was boycotted by opponents of LGBT rights, retailers have embraced the Supreme Court’s ruling for same-sex marriage. Amazing how quickly things can change. Just three years ago, J.C. Penney found itself embroiled in controversy when it featured gay couples in its new glossy mail-outs, part of its failed strategy under…

Kids Retailer Started by Former Children's Place Exec Files for Chapter 7
June 26, 2015 at 3:21 pm

The ousted CEO of The Children’s Place, who two years ago launched his own chain of children’s clothing pitched as “obtainable luxury,” has ended his effort with the company’s bankruptcy. Ruum American Kid’s Wear, started by Ezra Dabah, the former chairman and CEO of The Children's Place, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation —…

Abercrombie Settles Immigration-Related Lawsuit Over Hiring Practices
June 26, 2015 at 3:00 pm

Abercrombie & Fitch agreed to pay more than $158,000 and be monitored for two years as part of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that it discriminated against a non-U.S. citizen when it required her to present a green card. The Columbus, Ohio-based company agreed to pay the woman $3,661…

Retailers Urge Congress to Make Changes to Healthcare Act
June 26, 2015 at 2:52 pm

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is calling on Congress to make “much needed” changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The move comes in response to the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling Thursday upholding subsidies provided through ACA.