Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- In the final hours of its 2013 regular session, the legislature in California voted to approve a bill that would raise the minimum wage from $8 an hour to $10 an hour within three years. Gov. Jerry Brown has indicated he would sign the bill into law, saying "The minimum wage has not kept pace with rising costs. This legislation is overdue and will help families that are struggling in this harsh economy."

Austin, Texas – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is reportedly suing Whole Foods Market, Inc. for selling four pesticide products that allegedly fail to comply with state regulations.

An Associated Press report says the suit, filed Monday, Sept. 9 in Sacramento Superior Court, requests a court order to force Whole Foods to explain why it is selling the pesticides in question. If the court determines the pesticides are banned in California, the state could potentially fine the retailer.

CINCINNATI — Kroger achieved its 39th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales, and is raising its guidance as a result.

The company's total sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 17 increased 4.6% to $22.7 billion in the second quarter compared with $21.7 billion for the same period last year. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 3.9% in the second quarter over the same period last year. 

Toronto -- Shareholders of Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart voted in favor of the drugstore chain’s proposed acquisition by Loblaw Cos.

The transaction was approved by approximately 99.89% of the votes cast by all of the Shoppers Drug Mart shareholders eligible to vote.

As previously reported, Loblaw Cos. and Shoppers Drug Mart announced on July 15 a definitive agreement under which Loblaw will acquire Shoppers Drug Mart for C$12.4 billion in cash and stock.

District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray this week vetoed one of the most wrong-headed regulations ever proposed and the nation’s two leading retail trade groups were quick to praise the action.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger C0.’s second-quarter net income rose 14%, helped by lower charges and increased revenue. The supermarket company also lifted the low end of its fiscal 2013 outlook for a key revenue metric.

Walmart president and CEO Bill Simon prefaced his comments at the Goldman Sach Global Retailing Conference by saying he wouldn’t have much to say. That proved to not be the case as Simon said a lot about a wide range of subjects.
 

Lululemon Athletica seems to be putting the recall of its see-through yoga pants earlier this year behind it. The company reported net revenue of $344.5 million for the second quarter ended Aug. 4, a 22% increase from $282.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Comparable stores sales for the quarter increased by 8%.