Consumer Affairs & Relations

Minneapolis – Target confirmed that it suffered a major data breach that may have affected as many as 40 million credit and debit card transactions at Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. Target said the information included customer name, credit or debit card number, and the card’s expiration date and CVV (the three-digit security code).

Hollywood, Calif. -- Frederick's of Hollywood Group Inc. has entered into a definitive merger agreement that provides for the acquisition of the company by a consortium consisting of HGI Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harbinger Group Inc., and certain of the company's other common and preferred shareholders. The members of the consortium as a group beneficially own approximately 88.6% of the company's common stock.

Walmart China CEO Greg Foran reiterated the company’s goal of accelerating Sam’s Club growth in the coming years with several published reports indicating the pace of Sam’s Club openings may eventually reach 10 units annually.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS repurchased approximately 6.7 million shares of its common stock, for approximately $125 million, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, completing all but $55 million of its existing share repurchase authorization. The Chico’s board of directors has cancelled the remainder of its March 2013 share repurchase program and approved a new $300 million share repurchase authorization for the company's common stock.

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Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot has formed its executive committee and leadership team.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has added Ajani Stewart to its sustainability team within the RILA legal department.

Stewart will be leading the development of RILA’s Center for Retail Compliance (CRC). RILA recently received funding to develop the CRC, a Web-based resource for retailers and stakeholders in the industry to access solutions and information for maintaining and achieving environmental compliance. Stewart is responsible for the development of the center.

Washington, D.C. – The Washington, D.C., city council has reportedly unanimously approved an increase in the city’s minimum wage to $11.50 per hour in 2016, up from the current hourly rate of $8.25. According to Reuters, after being raised to $11.50 the minimum wage would then be indexed to inflation.