Legal

Esprit is exploring the sale of its U.S. and Canadian operations, according to three people familiar with the matter. Rothschild in New York has been hired to advise Esprit, said the people, who declined to be identified because the process isn’t public. The assets are likely to be shown to a number of private-equity funds, said one of the people.

A growing grassroots movement is pushing the Houston city council to become the first fair trade city in Texas. The campaign, launched by Houstonian Kendra Penry, calls on the city to follow in the footsteps of Milwaukee and Chicago and purchase fair trade certified goods when available, ensure ongoing education, and commitment to fair trade, and encourage the community to use, sell or provide fair trade products whenever possible.

Thousands of Americans have signed an online petition calling on retailer Forever 21 to remove an original design copied from the socially conscious New York label Feral Childe.

The Dodgers' merchandise vendor must take the financial risk of ordering gear for next season without knowing whether the Dodgers might boot the vendor before the season starts, a federal bankruptcy judge ruled.

A privacy ruling from California’s highest court found that the practice of asking credit card customers for ZIP codes constituted a violation of state consumer privacy. This could have substantial implications for retailers, warns Mac Nadel, retail/wholesale, food and beverage industry practice leader for Marsh Inc.

Harry & David, the gift-box retailer that's sold fruit by mail since the 1930s, won tentative court approval of its recovery plan, enabling the company to exit bankruptcy before the holiday season. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Mary Walrath said that she will be “happy to sign” the final order confirming the plan. Senior noteholders will get control of the company in exchange for canceling more than $200 million in debt.

Kim Navarra really loves Abercrombie & Fitch. She loves it so much that her closets are filled to the brim with clothes from the retailer. Too bad she's banned from shopping there.

The Chinese city of Kunming has stopped 22 fake Apple stores from illegally using the company's iconic trademark after Apple lodged a complaint with officials. Kunming authorities found 20 unauthorized Apple resellers, 11 of which are being investigated. Two other stores were discovered for related violations.

State officials in Tennessee are raising questions whether Amazon.com should start collecting sales taxes from state customers. The company is building three distribution centers in the state and some legislators believe Amazon should begin collecting sales taxes there.

The British Retail Consortium has set out the demands along with calls for a supportive and expedient planning process to repair any damage caused by the violence and the formation of effective local partnerships to kick-start those communities blighted by the troubles.