Financial/Banking

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Wednesday that women’s apparel and accessories retailer Dots has signed an agreement for private-label credit card services.

"The benefits of the new dots card are multifaceted,” said Lisa Rhodes, CEO, Dots. “In addition to providing a finance option and exclusive offers, it's an opportunity for us to bond with our shoppers as they become advocates of our brand.”

Atlanta -- Dollar volume growth remained solid at 5.8% in November, down from 6.7% in October, according to the First Data SpendTrend analysis for the full month of November 2012 compared with November 2011. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

New York -- Toys “R” Us posted a wider loss for its fiscal third quarter due primarily to an increase in interest expenses. The retailer said it lost $105 million for the quarter ended Oct. 27, compared with a loss of $93 million in the year-ago period.

Toys “R” Us attributed the wider loss to a $29 million increase in its interest expenses due to an issuance of senior notes and repayment of other senior note

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark has upped the size of its previously announced tender offers to refinance a portion of its debt. The company announced that it will buy back up to $1.33 billion in notes, up from the previously announced $1 billion.

"Through this transaction as well as our recent debt issuance, we are taking advantage of the current favorable interest rate environment. This debt refinancing will enhance our long-term debt structure and decrease our interest expense going forward,” stated Dave Denton, EVP and CFO of CVS Caremark.

Particularly in the current economy, it is not uncommon for purchasers, anywhere along the supply-to-distribution chain, to claim financial distress and file for bankruptcy relief.

How can a person or entity hope to collect on debts owed by a "bankrupt" purchaser? What follows is a primer on bankruptcy terms and procedures, as well as steps an unsecured creditor may follow to be in the best position to collect on what is owed without incurring substantial attorneys’ fees.

New York -- Consumer confidence declined more than expected in December, reaching a four-month low as Americans grew concerned about the possibility of higher taxes next year. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index decreased to 74.5 this month from 82.7 in November. Economists had projected a preliminary reading of 82 for December.

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. on Friday said that its board has increased its share repurchase authorization by $1.5 billion.

The retailer said the increase brings the total approved to buy back shares to $1.86 billion.

Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren said that the company is committed to using its excess cash to enhance shareholder value through buybacks and dividends and the decision reflects the strength of the company's business.

New York -- Canada’s Loblaw Cos. Ltd. plans to spin off the vast majority of its property assets into a real estate investment trust. The retailer said it plans to spin off real estate worth more than C$7 billion ($7.05 billion) into the REIT and sell units of the trust through an initial public offering that it hopes to complete by mid-2013.