Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

Denver -- A federal judge in Denver is considering an injunction after ruling that nearly 250 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, including its namesake and Hollister banners, are unfriendly to the disabled, the Associated Press reported.

The judge agreed in March with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition that the stores limited access for wheelchair-bound customers.  He said the only option under the Americans With Disabilities Act is an injunction ordering the problems to be fixed, the report said.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) is formally opposing the proposed settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by 19 trade associations and six retailers in 2005. The lawsuit involves “swipe fees” charged for credit card transactions by Visa and Mastercard. Retailers that agree to settlement terms are eligible for a share of a $7.25 billion settlement.

Chicago – Almost all of the top 100 public retailers (97%) consider federal, state and local regulations as a risk factor, according to a new analysis of 10K filings from the largest 100 U.S. public retailers by BDO, LLP. Only general economic conditions (100%) was cited by more retailers, and this marks the highest percentage of public retailers citing regulations as a risk in the seven years BDO has been performing this analysis.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has announced plans to formally oppose a proposed settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard. NRF is also urging retailers to carefully consider their own decisions before next week’s deadline set by the court.

LAS VEGAS — The International Council of Shopping Centers has elected David J. LaRue, president and CEO of Forest City Enterprises, to serve as the association’s chairman for the 2013–2014 term. LaRue assumed his role as chairman at RECon, ICSC’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. 

LaRue is the association’s 54th chairman, succeeding Brad Hutensky, president and principal of Hutensky Capital Partners.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Ohio against CAO Group, a manufacturer and distributor of dental products. The lawsuit alleges that CAO Group is violating P&G's intellectual property by manufacturing and selling its “Sheer White,” “Sheer FluorX” and “Sheer DesenZ” products.

P&G is suing CAO Group in order to protect its investment in its technology and its Crest Whitestrips business.

Dallas -- Kathleen Mason, former CEO of Tuesday Morning, has filed a lawsuit against her ex-employer in Dallas District Court claiming discrimination. Mason, who was fired last June, alleges that Tuesday Morning mistreated and then terminated her within months after learning she was suffering from breast cancer.

DALLAS — Kathleen Mason, former CEO of Tuesday Morning, has filed a lawsuit against her ex-employer in Dallas District Court claiming discrimination. Mason, who was fired last June, alleges that Tuesday Morning mistreated and then terminated her within months after learning she was suffering from breast cancer.

New York -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday criticized a fire-and-building safety agreement for Bangladesh, led by labor groups such as Europe's IndustriALL.  

"While the proposal put forth by the labor unions addresses a number of shared concerns, the accord veers away from commonsense solutions and seeks to advance a narrow agenda driven by special interests," NRF CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Preliminary results from the Safeway annual stockholder’s meeting show that a majority of stockholders followed board of directors recommendations in electing each of the eight directors with a majority of at least 73%. Stockholders also approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Safeway’s independent accounting firm for fiscal 2013.