Legal

Tariffs on Imported Goods From Canada, China Go Into Effect; Mexico Paused
February 3, 2025 at 3:56 pm

President Trump on Saturday signed an executive order that imposes 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada, while adding an additional 10 percent levy on goods from China. Canada responded hours later with retaliatory tariffs of its own. China's commerce secretary said that country would challenge the tariffs through the World Trade Organization, according to…

Retailers Beware: The FTC Fines GOAT for Overpromising and Underdelivering
January 29, 2025 at 11:23 am

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a penalty against online sneaker retailer GOAT for failing to honor its “Instant” and “Next Day” shipping guarantees. According to the FTC’s complaint, GOAT also violated its “Assurance of Authenticity” and “Buyer Protection” promises, rejecting or only partially crediting customers for defective products. The FTC’s case was built around two key…

Costco's Union Workers Authorize Nationwide Strike
January 21, 2025 at 6:14 pm

A union representing thousands of Costco employees voted to authorize a strike, paving the way for a work stoppage if the labor group and retailer do not reach an agreement, reports CNBC. Costco Teamsters, the union with 18,000 employees for the retailer nationwide, said 85 percent of members voted to approve the action. The current…

Craft Retailer Joann Files for Bankruptcy for Second Time in a Year
January 15, 2025 at 5:22 pm

Craft retailer Joann Inc filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware on Wednesday, saying that inventory shortages had forced it to back into bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year. Joann said it intends to seek a buyer for its business, which has the "potential" to survive under the right ownership. If…

Building a Retail-Friendly City: The Role of Streamlined Tax Payment Processes for Retailers
January 6, 2025 at 5:49 pm

Retailers of all sizes, whether small boutique shops or national chains, face numerous challenges when it comes to fulfilling their tax obligations to local governments. While much attention is often given to the financial burden of taxes themselves, the administrative processes involved in paying these taxes can be equally daunting and time consuming for retailers.…

Assessing Legal Challenges for E-Commerce Retailers in 2025
January 6, 2025 at 10:00 am

As a lawyer and entrepreneur, I’m fascinated by the legal and business landscape for e-commerce retailers. Amid the opportunities technology continues to open for the industry, legal challenges abound, especially around privacy laws, the lawsuits they spawn, and how retailers can best avoid or prepare for them. The first thing to know is that any…

The Container Store Files for Bankruptcy
December 23, 2024 at 8:04 pm

The Container Store — once the premier hub for all things storage and organization — filed for bankruptcy amid mounting debt. The 46-year-old retail chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Sunday in a Texas district court. It comes just days after Big Lots and Party City announced they will be closing down for good…

How E-Commerce Retailers Can Stay Tax Compliant Amid Holiday Sales Surges
December 18, 2024 at 9:16 am

For e-commerce retailers, the holiday season is more than just a busy period — it’s a high-stakes test of their tax compliance systems. With sales spiking across channels and jurisdictions, a minor compliance slipup can lead to costly penalties or damage to customer trust. Retailers need robust strategies to manage the holiday rush without impacting…

Albertsons Sues Kroger After Judge Rules Against Grocery Merger
December 11, 2024 at 1:15 pm

Albertsons on Wednesday formally terminated its proposed $25 billion merger with Kroger and filed a lawsuit against its supermarket competitor, saying Kroger violated its contract and didn’t follow through on commitments to help get the deal approved. It comes a day after a judge blocked the planned merger. In a news release, Albertsons said Kroger broke…

Amazon Sued By D.C. Attorney General Over Prime Delivery Neighborhood Access
December 4, 2024 at 12:51 pm

Washington D.C.'s attorney general sued Amazon.com on Wednesday, alleging the e-commerce giant excludes certain D.C-area neighborhoods from having access to Prime's fast delivery, according to the lawsuit. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said Amazon had "secretly" excluded two ZIP codes in Washington D.C. from having Prime delivery since 2022, according to a press release from his…