Corporate Governance

Dublin, Calif. — dd’s DISCOUNTS, a division of Ross Stores, will open a new store in downtown Portland on June 28^th in a former Ross Dress for Less location. Counting the new location, dd’s DISCONTS will operate over 140 locations in 13 states. The retailer is on schedule to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.

Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney has filed an appeal of a June 16 ruling by the New York State Supreme Court that it "tortuously" interfered with Macy’s 2006 contract with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia when Penney entered into its own contract with Martha Stewart in 2011. In the ruling, Justice Jeffrey K. Oing said Macy’s failed to prove that it is entitled to punitive damages.

Philadelphia – U.K. specialty maternity retailer Mothercare Plc has rejected two non-binding written merger proposals from Destination Maternity Corp. In a press release, Destination Maternity said its second proposal, delivered June 1 2014, would combine the two companies under a new U.K. holding company which would be listed in the U.S., for a total payment of $453 million to Mothercare shareholders.

Minneapolis – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly investigating whether Target Corp. adequately protected its data and informed shareholders about the possible consequences relating to its fall 2013 data breach, according to Bloomberg. The report said that Target is one of several public companies that suffered a data breach which is being investigated by the SEC.

Palo Alto, Caif. - Same-day delivery start-up Deliv has appointed Jeff Helms as head of delivery operations. The former senior Amazon leader joins the crowdsourced, same-day delivery provider as it plans for rapid expansion across the country.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rite Aid has reportedly settled a consumer protection suit filed by the district attorneys of San Diego, Riverside and Alameda counties for about $500,000. According to the Associated Press, the suit alleged that Rite Aid pharmacists failed to consult with customers who were filling new prescriptions or changing the doses of existing prescriptions, as required by California state law.

Milwaukee – Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc. is closing its distribution center in Stevens Point, Minnesota. The closure, expected to take place by Sept. 30, will eliminate 196 jobs.

Salt Lake City – Overstock.com now offers free Club O loyalty program memberships to active police officers, full-time firefighters, paramedics and certified emergency medical technicians. Those who qualify for the program can enroll by visiting the first-responders sign-up section on Overstock.

First responders can have their identity verified through the ID.me digital authentication service and relayed to Overstock to receive their free Club O membership. Once individuals sign up, they enter a user name and password to receive benefits.

Wilmington, Mass. - Taxware, a global provider of indirect tax software, managed services, and regulatory content is merging with Convey Compliance Systems, a private third-party filer of 1099 forms. With the backing of Vista Equity Partners, the two companies will leverage their complementary tax compliance solutions to create a capability for addressing wide-ranging client needs for tax technology and services.

New York -- Target Corp. on Wednesday requested that customers no longer carry guns in its stores.

The retailer found itself embroiled in controversy when gun-rights activists in Texas and several other states chose Target stores to demonstrate their belief in the right to openly bear arms. In response, the chain came under heavy fire from groups such as "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense" and others who expressed concern about firearms being carried into an environment where the shoppers are often accompanied by children.