Labor & Employment

Washington, D.C. - As a result of higher same-store sales and a continued optimistic outlook for future business conditions, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) remained in positive territory in March. The RPI, a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry, stood at 102.2 in March, down 0.4% from February's level of 102.6.

The Kroger Co. is continuing to invest in its footprint in 2015, this time with plans to build 11 new stores and remodel 22 existing stores in the Indianapolis area, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators Holdings reported a first-quarter loss of $7.8 million, swinging from a profit of $13.7 million in the year-ago period and missing Wall Street expectations. Revenue of $260 million in the period met analysts’ forecasts.

Lumber Liquidators reported a first-quarter loss of $7.8 million and announced that its CFO is resigning as allegations over the quality of its flooring continues to affect the company.

In the quarter, the company swung to a loss of $7.8 million, or 29 cents per share, compared to net income of $13.7 million, or 49 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue of $260 million in the period met analysts’ forecasts. 

The National Retail Federation issued a statement Wednesday supporting patent reform legislation seeking to protect retailers and other businesses from overly litigious patent trolls.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation today welcomed bipartisan patent reform legislation introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck E. Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Patrick J. Leahy, D-VT, that seeks to protect retailers and other businesses from overly litigious patent trolls.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) have filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals saying the National Labor Relations Board’s decision to recognize a “micro-union” of workers in a single department at a Macy’s store in Massachusetts was incorrect. According to the trade organizations, allowing workers in a single department instead of the whole store to organize violates longstanding precedents on union organizing.

Minneapolis – Net earnings at Supervalu Inc. fell 14% to $36 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 from $42 million in the identical period a year earlier. Higher selling and administrative expenses, including store closure and benefit costs, helped reduce profits.