Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Target Corp. on Wednesday requested that customers no longer carry guns in its stores.

The retailer found itself embroiled in controversy when gun-rights activists in Texas and several other states chose Target stores to demonstrate their belief in the right to openly bear arms. In response, the chain came under heavy fire from groups such as "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense" and others who expressed concern about firearms being carried into an environment where the shoppers are often accompanied by children.

Philadelphia – U.K. specialty maternity retailer Mothercare Plc has rejected two non-binding written merger proposals from Destination Maternity Corp. In a press release, Destination Maternity said its second proposal, delivered June 1 2014, would combine the two companies under a new U.K. holding company which would be listed in the U.S., for a total payment of $453 million to Mothercare shareholders.

Walmart is sponsoring the translation of an industry leading food fraud prevention course into Mandarin as part of a larger effort designed to position  the retailer as a leader in product quality, authenticity and safety.

Tyson reached an agreement to acquire Hillshire Brands in deal valued at $8.55 billion that includes Tyson paying a $163 termination fee to Pinnacle Foods, a company Hillshire was in the process of acquiring.

Tyson said it will pay $63 a share for Hillshire in an all cash deal that makes the world’s largest protein producer an even more dominant player on the global food stage.

Minneapolis – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly investigating whether Target Corp. adequately protected its data and informed shareholders about the possible consequences relating to its fall 2013 data breach, according to Bloomberg. The report said that Target is one of several public companies that suffered a data breach which is being investigated by the SEC.

Philadelphia -- Five Below announced the departure of Jeffrey Moore, executive VP merchandising.

"Over the last seven years Jeff has been an integral part of the success of Five Below as he has helped build the world-class merchandising team we have in place. We thank Jeff for his significant contributions to the business and we wish him well as he leaves to spend time with his family," said Tom Vellios, co-founder and CEO of Five Below.
   

Stater Bros. Charities is donating $150,000 to 13 local food banks and pantries in an effort to make sure children have enough to eat during the summer months when food reserves are traditionally low and when they don’t have access to meals through school food programs.

The funds were donated by Stater Bros. customers and employees this past holiday season during the Harvesting Hope in Our Community program.

New York -- The battle for control over American Apparel Inc. shifted into high gear with the company adopting a one-year stockholder rights plan, or so-called poison pill, aimed at stopping founder and ousted chairman and CEO Dov Charney from seizing control of the chain.

Charney is American Apparel’s largest shareholder, with a 27.2% stake in the company. On Wednesday, he signed a deal with Standard General whereby the New York firm would buy at least 10% of the company’s stock and then loan Charney the funds to acquire the stake.