Associations

Washington -- Consumer spending could drop by almost $200 billion next year while depressing real consumer-spending growth by 1.7% if middle-class taxes rise in response to the fiscal cliff, according to a report released Monday by a White House economic team.

New York -- The National Labor Relations Board Federal was not expected to decide before Thursday on whether to seek an injunction on behalf of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to stop a union-backed group from encouraging employee walk-outs that are expected to culminate Friday and include protests and rallies outside its stores.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Office Depot, Apple, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Limited Brands, Nordstrom, Sears, Staples and Target were among a record 252 businesses on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index.

The top retailers earned the top rating of 100% as well as the recognition of being among the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” A decade ago, in the HRC’s first index, only 13 businesses earned a 100% rating.

New York -- Seventeen percent of consumers, or 41 million people, plan to take advantage of increased shopping hours on Thanksgiving hours to shop, according to the latest consumer holiday tracking survey by The International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

NEW YORK — The late Russ Berrie, former CEO and chairman of Russ Berrie & Company, and Judy Ellis, founder of the nation’s first baccalaureate program in toy design, are the newest inductees to the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

Established in 1984, the Hall of Fame comprises 59 individuals who have been previously recognized for their significant contributions to the growth and success of the toy industry. Berrie and Ellis were nominated from within the toy industry and selected by a vote of TIA members and previous Hall of Fame honorees.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel’s board of directors has named CEO Bryan G. Stockton, 59, as chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The current chairman, Robert A. Eckert, 58, informed the board of his decision to retire from his service as director and chairman of the board, effective Dec. 31. Stockton will continue to function as CEO, a position he’s held since Jan. 2012.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday filed an unfair labor practice charge against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, requesting that the National Labor Relations Board halt alleged unlawful attempts to disrupt Wal-Mart’s business.

Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar told Reuters that the retailer cannot allow the UFCW to “continue to intentionally seek to create an environment that could directly and adversely impact our customers and associates. If they do, they will be held accountable,” he said.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 5.9% in November despite the temporary closure of some ports by superstorm Sandy.