Legal

Michigan's Retail Stores No Longer Need Price Tags
September 1, 2011

A decades-old requirement that retailers put a price tag on each item they sell is no longer beginning today. Instead of putting price stickers on each item, stores can now use other forms of price marking, such as clearly displaying signs on shelves or making price scanning available to customers.

Investigation Underway in Kansas Stateโ€™s E-Commerce Tax Dodge
August 31, 2011

An investigation continues into whether Kansas State University's online merchandise store is skirting sales tax law. Now some state legislators also are beginning to question its online practices. In early August it was reported that purchases made by Kansas residents at the "K-State Official Online Store" weren't being charged any sales taxes.

Amazon Puts Up $5M to Prevent Customers From Paying Sales Tax
August 30, 2011

When it comes to avoiding the requirement of collecting sales tax from its consumers, Amazon isn't afraid to open its wallet. More than nine months before a proposed June 2012 referendum asking that Californiaโ€™s new internet sales tax law be overturned, Amazon has already spent $5.25 million, state records show, more than any company has spent in California this far from a vote in at least a decade.

European Apparel Files Lawsuit Against Billabong for Breach of Contract
August 29, 2011

European Apparel has filed suit against Billabong and Brad Bleick for unspecified damages resulting from breach of contract, alleged fraud and alleged conspiracy to commit fraud. The lawsuit alleges that Paul Naude, the executive director and general manager of Billabong, issued written authority in April 2011 to European Apparel authorizing them as a distributor for Billabong in various markets.

US Investigating Work Conditions for Foreign Students at Hershey Warehouse
August 26, 2011

The U.S. Labor Department said that it had opened two investigations into working conditions for foreign cultural-exchange students employed at a Hershey Co. candy warehouse in central Pennsylvania. At the same time, the organizations responsible for employing the students were seeking to resolve a standoff with them by offering a week's paid vacation and cultural-enhancing day trips to Philadelphia, Amish country, and Gettysburg.

Books-A-Million to Buy Leases of 14 Borders Stores
August 26, 2011

Borders and Books-A-Million have reached an agreement for a lease sale involved 14 Borders superstores and specialty stores for $934,209. Citing documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, the report said the store locations include Portland, Maine; Canton, Ohio; Concord, N.H.; and Mays Landing, N.J.

Ex-Duane Reade CEO, Sentenced to 3 Years In Prison
August 24, 2011

The former Chief Executive of Duane Reade has been sentenced to three years in prison for exaggerating the New York City drugstore chain's income. Anthony Cuti was ordered to pay a $5 million fine.

CVS to Pay $2M in Overcharging, Misleading Ads Settlement
August 23, 2011

CVS Pharmacy has agreed to pay more than $2 million in fines and other costs to settle a consumer protection lawsuit alleging that the drugstore chain overcharged customers for sale items and engaged in misleading advertising.

Urban Outfitters Sued Over New Line of Jailbait Casuals
August 22, 2011

The parents of a 15-year-old model are suing Urban Outfitters โ€” as well as two other retailers and photographer Jason Lee Parry, for putting images of the model "in a blatantly salacious manner with her legs spread, without a bra, revealing portions of her breasts," on T-shirts and other merchandise. They're seeking $28 million in damages.