Consumer Affairs & Relations

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS/pharmacy is offering members of its ExtraCare loyalty program double their ExtraBucks quarterly reward earnings between Sept. 16 and Dec. 15. Members can sign up for double earnings in-store or online and receive 4% instead of the usual 2% back on all eligible front-store purchases in the form of “ExtraBucks” that can be spent like cash in the store.

The husband of a woman who died following a bizarre series of developments precipitated by a shopping trip to Walmart is pursuing an even more bizarre lawsuit alleging the retailer and its manufacturer of plastic bags are at fault.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. plans to end its association with the Martha Stewart brand after disappointing sales, according to the New York Post. The report, which cited unidentified sources, said the decision was made by Penney CEO Myron Ullman, who returned to the chain in April following the ouster of Ron Johnson.

When Walmart lowered its full year sales forecast last month the company said customer were being cautious with their spending. Maybe so, but that wasn’t the case in new car showrooms were automakers reported record sales and in the process created new holiday headwind for Walmart and other retailers.

Campbell Soup Co. and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. are joining forces and launching Campbell’s Fresh-Brewed Soup K-Cup packs, which will offer consumers Campbell’s soups that can be prepared in Keurig brewers.

Chicago -- Whole Foods Market plans to open an 18,000-sq.-ft. store on Chicago’s South Side, in the impoverished Englewood neighborhood, in 2015. The store will be built as part of a larger development at the northwest corner of South Halsted and West 63rd Streets. The retail portion of the site is being developed by DL3.

Nashville, Tenn. - Harwood Feffer LLP is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Genesco Inc., concerning whether the board has breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders. On August 29, 2013, Genesco disclosed that it may be forced to restate certain financial statements due to potential violations of generally accepted accounting principles.

Jacksonville, Fla. - Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Stein Mart Inc. The investigation focuses on whether Stein Mart and/or certain of its officers complied with the federal securities laws when making statements to investors.

New York -- A controversial bill requiring Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other large retailers to pay their employees a "living wage" of at least $12.50 an hour has been sent to District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray.   
    
The mayor has 10 business days, starting Tuesday, to either sign or veto the bill, which was passed by the D.C. Council at the beginning of July.

New York -- Yankee Candle has agreed to be acquired by global consumer products company Jarden Corp. for $1.75 billion in cash from its private equity owner Madison Dearborn Partners. Yankee Candle, based in South Deerfield, Mass., operates about 575 stores in the United States and Canada.

Madison Dearborn bought Yankee Candle in 2007 for $1.4 billion cash and the assumption of $300 million in debt.