Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

Enterprising television reporters at KGTV in San Diego caused Walmart some grief this week when they uncovered that prices were ringing up incorrectly on some items and customers were not being offered a $3 refund in keeping with a 2008 court order. To watch the video click here or continuing reading.

From a strictly legal standpoint Walmart may have prevailed this week in a case involving a customer who was murdered in its parking lot after a jury found the company wasn’t liable for inadequate security. Then again, the mere fact that Walmart had to appear in court to defend itself against charges stemming from a murder in its parking lot meant the company was a loser before the trial began simply because of the negative publicity.

New York City -- Target Corp. has updated its corporate donation policy following a corporate review that occurred in the wake of the backlash surrounding the company’s $150,000 donation last summer to a group that ran ads supporting Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, according to the Minneapolis/St.Paul Buisness Journal. The donation resulted in much controversy for the chain due to Emmer’s anti same-sex marriage stand.

New York City -- Borders Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday. The troubled bookseller plans to close 30%, or about 200, of its most underperforming stores during the next few weeks. The long-expected filing will allow Borders to access new capital and reorganize its operations, Borders Group president Mike Edwards said in a statement.

New York City -- Months after a voter initiative to abolish North Dakota's strict restrictions on pharmacy ownership foundered, the long-running debate resumed Tuesday in the state’s legislature, the Associated Press reported.

North Dakota is the only state in the nation that requires pharmacists to have majority ownership of most pharmacies. The law prevents major retailers, such as Wal-Mart Stores, from operating pharmacies in their own stores.

New York City -- A Tuesday report by the Wall Street Journal said that hedge fund billionaire and Sears Holding Corp. chairman Edward Lampert has reported holding a 5.8% stake in Gap Inc.

Lampert reported the stake in a 13G filing, or a filing for passive investors, with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Monday.

His ESL Partners company and affiliates reported beneficially holding 35 million common shares.

New York City -- A&P plans to close 32 stores in six states, including four in the New York City area, Crain’s New York reported.

Among the stores slated to close are 14 Pathmarks, seven Super Fresh shops, four A&Ps and three Waldbaums, according to the report.

A&P operates 395 stores in eight states and the District of Columbia under the banners A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Super Fresh and Food Basics. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.

Berlin, N.J. -- A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts said Tuesday it is considering a potential sale of the company.

The arts-and-crafts retailer revealed that its board is looking at strategic options to boost shareholder value, which may also include corporate financing or raising capital. It said there has been third-party "expressions of interest," but that it won't discuss any developments unless its board approves a specific transaction.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P reported in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that Brenda Galgano, SVP, CFO and treasurer, will resign, effective March 27.

According to the filing, Galgano gave her notice on Feb. 10. No additional details on her departure were disclosed.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble invited Amazon.com's affiliates to join its program instead in an "open letter" Monday, as Amazon continues to oppose legislation that requires it to collect sales taxes in several states, the Associated Press reported.