Trading Partners

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation announced that its board of directors has authorized the Federation to go to court to block the proposed $7.25 billion settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over skyrocketing Visa and MasterCard credit card swipe fees that cost consumers hundreds of dollars a year.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it is offering a deluxe edition of Taylor Swift's upcoming fourth album, "Red." The deluxe edition of the album is available only at Target, and includes six bonus tracks (three new songs and three remixes). The exclusive edition of “Red” will be available for pre-order on Sept. 16, and at Target stores and on Target.com starting Oct. 22.

Bed Bath & Beyond is offering a trio of Granite Gold branded products as part of an exclusive new Home Care Collection.

The product offering includes Granite Gold’s daily cleaner, a countertop polish and a specialty cleaner and that retails for $23.99.

"Harsh and abrasive ordinary cleaners have damaging effects on natural stone-surfaces," said Lenny Sciarrino, president and CEO of Granite Gold. "Our Home Care Collection provides Bed Bath & Beyond customers the essential tools to easily and safely clean, shine and protect their surfaces."

The Marine Stewardship Council received a nearly $11 million cash infusion from a trio of charitable foundations, including the Walton Family Foundation.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. reported Thursday that same-store sales for the month of August slid 8.2%. The report came on the heels of Wednesday’s announcement that Tricare would not reinstate the drug retailer into the pharmacies approved to fill prescriptions.

WASHINGTON — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has named Elise Fennig as VP industry affairs.

“Who agreed to this language?”

How many times have each of us been handed leases containing  terms which cause us to   ask , “Where did these provisions come from?” or “This is the first time I’ve seen these stipulations, did the transactions group understand the costs of compliance?” The answer is: probably more times than we’d like to recall.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Hain Celestial announced that EVP and CFO Ira Lamel will retire from the company.

Lamel will remain with Hain Celestial until a successor is named and to ensure an orderly transition, according to the company, which has commenced a global search for Lamel's replacement. Lamel, 65, joined the company in 2001.