Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

New York -- A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) is predicting a 10% increase in spending on North American retail store construction and renovations in 2015. The forecast, based on a survey of A.R.E.’s nearly 750 member companies and input from the industry association’s economic advisors, represents the sixth consecutive year of industry growth.

Teens will soon have fewer choices when it comes to shopping for the latest fashions.

Deb Shops announced it has won court approval to launch going-out-of-business sales that will culminate with the closing of nearly 300 stores.

“We thank our many customers and dedicated employees for their tremendous loyalty over the years and are very proud of our associates’ commitment to maintaining the high level of customer service we are known for throughout this transition,” said Dawn Robertson, CEO at Deb Shops.

Reuters is reporting a new complicating factor in the ongoing saga of efforts by Dollar Tree and Dollar General to buy Family Dollar.

Some 20 state attorneys general have joined the federal antitrust investigation of competing bids by Dollar General Corp. and Dollar Tree Inc. to buy Family Dollar Stores Inc., a development that potentially complicates the companies' efforts to win U.S. approval for a deal.

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Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation has expressed its strong support for H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, a bill that would restore the traditional 40-hour workweek standard for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The NRF sent a letter to each and every House office stating that all votes related to the bill would be considered “key votes” and factored into its annual legislative scorecard.

New York -- Safeway has agreed to pay $9.87 million in penalties as part of a settlement of a civil environmental lawsuit.

The settlement stems from allegations that more than 500 Safeway stores and distribution centers throughout California improperly handled and disposed of various hazardous wastes and materials, ranging from pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications to batteries and electronic devices, over a period of seven and a half years.

New York -- U.S. mediators are joining the labor talks at West Coast ports in an attempt to jumpstart the stalled negotiations between the powerful International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service announced its involvement in the talks late on Monday.

“We are prepared and ready to render prompt assistance,” Allison Beck, acting director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, said in a statement.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that Jennifer Safavian has joined the association as executive VP for government affairs, effective Jan. 5. As RILA’s top lobbyist, Safavian will oversee RILA’s federal and state advocacy, guiding an agenda that includes cyber security, e-Fairness, tax reform and other critical issues facing the retail industry.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – Teen retailer Wet Seal Inc. has defaulted on a total of $28.8 million in senior convertible notes and related costs. In a regulatory filing, the struggling retailer  said it received notice of default on $27 million in notes from creditor Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., plus costs including attorneys’ fees and disbursements.

Wet Seal has reached a two-week forbearance agreement with the fund, giving it until Jan. 12 to pay off the debt.

New York -- A federal judge recommended approval of a revised settlement of a lawsuit that challenged the pay of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries. The action comes three months after a different judge rejected a settlement that appeared to offer few benefits to the company and “broadly released shareholders' claims," Reuters reported.

New York -- The minimum wage rose in 20 U.S. states and in the District of Columbia on Jan. 1.

The increase brings the total number of states with a minimum wage above the federal wage floor to 29, according to the New York Times. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

Nine states are increasing their minimum wage levels through automatic adjustments for cost-of-living expenses and other economic factors. Increases in the other states occurred through legislative or ballot changes.