Trading Partners

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is continuing its fight against credit card swipe fees by asking a judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit, saying it would not bring the fees charged by Visa and MasterCard under control and does not give retailers who oppose it an adequate mechanism to opt out.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax Inc. announced that its U.S. contract business will now go to market as OfficeMax Workplace.

The company said the new name reflects its commitment to developing strategic relationships with a wide array of customers including businesses, universities, hospitals, schools and local governments to provide them with tailored solutions specific to the unique needs of their workplace.

Washington -- The National Retail Federation and more than a dozen of the nation’s most prominent retailers today asked a judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit, saying it would not bring credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard under control and does not give retailers who oppose it an adequate mechanism to opt out.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of their strategic partnership’s synergy program.

The new company, called Walgreens Boots Alliance Development, will be based in Bern, Switzerland.

No other details were released.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. announced that it has entered into a new $61 million revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

The new credit facility replaces the retailer's $55 million revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., which was due to mature on January 13, 2013.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. said Tuesday it has approved a poison pill defense to preclude investor Starboard Value LP from waging a takeover of the company.

The activist investor became the office-supply retailer’s largest shareholder last month and has begun pushing for changes.

The poison pill is a shareholder rights plan that would give its investors additional shares if one entity surpasses 15% ownership. Starboard owned 14.8% as of Oct. 12.

Greensboro, N.C. -- RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers announced Tuesday they will acquire two outlet centers in the Montreal area.

The pair will co-purchase Les Factoreries St. Sauveur and Bromont Outlet Mall for about $94.7 million Canadian dollars.

RioCan will provide development and property management services and Tanger will provide leasing and marketing services.  The properties will be rebranded as Tanger Outlets.

Both transactions are slated to close in November 2012.

Beijing -- Wal-Mart Stores announced a series of initiatives to make the company's supply chain in the United States, China and around the world more sustainable.