Legal

By striking down student debt forgiveness last week, the U.S. Supreme Court not only added a hefty expense back into millions of Americans’ budgets, it also created a challenge for retailers already struggling to predict how consumers may spend in the coming months. The court’s decision squashed President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 per borrower in federal…

The Inform Consumers Act, a new law that aims to curb organized retail theft and the sale of counterfeit and harmful products on online platforms, takes effect on Tuesday as more retailers blame theft as a reason for lower profits, reports CNBC. Congress passed the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act — or the INFORM…

Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Amazon.com, alleging the nation’s leading online retailer intentionally duped millions of consumers into signing up for its paid loyalty Prime program and “sabotaged” their attempts to cancel. The agency claims Amazon violated the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act by using so-called dark patterns, or…

Outdoor apparel brand Patagonia has filed a lawsuit against Nordstrom for allegedly selling “thousands” of counterfeit Patagonia items. The complaint, filed with a California federal court, states that the counterfeit items are being sold in Nordstrom Rack stores, The Fashion Law reports. Nordstrom was previously an authorized Patagonia dealer for many years, but no longer has that authorization. Patagonia…

The days when brands and retailers could turn a blind eye to where their products come from are over. Amid heightened awareness of social and environmental abuses throughout the supply chain, governments around the world are moving quickly to hold businesses accountable for the actions of their suppliers. New supply chain due diligence laws are…

A Nike customer is accusing the brand of greenwashing. In a complaint filed May 10 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, plaintiff Maria Guadalupe Ellis claimed that Nike uses “deceptive and misleading” statements when marketing its sustainability collection. Specifically, the suit claims that Nike “deceives consumers into believing that they're receiving…

Tuesday Morning is going out of business and closing all of its stores, reports CNN. After 49 years in business, the Dallas-based off-price home decor retailer will go out of business following a court-approved bankruptcy sale to Hilco Merchant Resources for $32 million on Thursday. Going-out-of-business sales have begun at all of the company's roughly 200 remaining…

Bed Bath & Beyond announced yesterday that it has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 to close its business and seek a sale of its assets. The home goods retailer has received a commitment of approximately $240 million in debtor-in-possession financing from Sixth Street Specialty Lending to facilitate the store closing process, pending court approval. Bed…

David's Bridal filed for bankruptcy earlier this week just days after announcing plans to lay off more than 9,000 workers nationwide later this year. The popular wedding dress retailer said its stores and e-commerce website will remain open during the financial restructuring process. David's Bridal executives said they're trying to arrange a sale of the company. The…

Dollar General has again been found in violation of federal workplace safety regulations for “willfully exposing” staff to fire hazards at a Pennsylvania store, the Department of Labor said Friday, reports CNBC. Investigators found “dangerous safety hazards,” including blocked emergency exit routes and electrical panels, at a Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania store during a November inspection that…