Legal

Amazon.com will pay $2.5 billion to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allegations that the company duped users into paying for Prime memberships, the regulatory agency announced last week. The surprise settlement comes as Amazon and the FTC were just three days into the trial in a Seattle federal court. Opening arguments in the case occurred Tuesday,…

Claire's, a mall boutique chain favored by tweens, teens and young women, is set to close more than 290 stores as part of its bankruptcy process, reports USA Today. Stores to be closed include 235 Claire's locations in the U.S. and 56 Icing stores. The filing also listed 830 stores — 785 Claire's locations and…

Today's retail operations rely on more than just products or e-commerce design. Behind the scenes, fulfillment providers depend on regional couriers, cloud-hosted payment processors, and outsourced customer service teams. These multitiered networks help retailers meet expectations for speed and convenience but also introduce potential failures that can disrupt service, delay deliveries, or compromise data. When…

Claire's, once a staple for mall-going tweens and teens, filed for bankruptcy for the second time in seven years on Wednesday, multiple news outlets reported. The company faces about $500 million in debt. CEO Chris Cramer called the decision difficult but necessary in a statement. "Increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away…

Many businesses are turning to Schedule A cases to try to stop online counterfeiters, who can be difficult to identify on third-party online marketplaces. Schedule A refers to an IP case where a plaintiff typically sues numerous defendants, allegedly selling counterfeit products or infringing trademarks, under seal with an attached document titled “Schedule A” that…

Founded in 1992, Skechers has grown to become the third-largest footwear company in the world, with around 5,300 stores nationwide and a diverse lineup of shoe categories. Skechers launched its Hands Free Slip-ins shoe line in 2023, quickly becoming its most popular product line and a key driver of its recent growth. However, its best-selling…

lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco that accuses the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure clothing, reports CNBC. lululemon athletica claims in its lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that Costco has “unlawfully traded” on its reputation, goodwill and sweat…

Most retail leaders don't expect their customer service scripts to carry legal consequences. After all, they're meant to be helpful, friendly and on-brand. However, beneath that friendly tone there may be risks hiding in plain sight — risks that could cost your company more than just a bad review. From minor misstatements to problematic phrasing,…

At Home, a popular home goods retailer with 260 stores across 40 U.S. states, has filed for bankruptcy, citing the backdrop of tariff increases and a slowdown in consumer spending. The Dallas-based company announced Monday that it had entered an agreement with its lenders that “will eliminate substantially all” of its roughly $2 billion in debt and…

Regulators have increased their focus on addressing workplace violence risks, including some with particular attention to risks associated with retail employers. Retailers from New York to California should monitor continued developments within state legislatures and adjust their workplace policies to account for these rules — new and old. California now requires virtually all employers in…