Legal

Many retailers assume that complying with the latest privacy laws or using trusted platforms is enough to stay protected, and that privacy lawsuits are mainly a risk for large national brands. Yet nearly half (43 percent) of recent web privacy claims have targeted businesses in the consumer discretionary sector, with retailers accounting for a significant…

As retailers and investors therein plan for 2026, the big picture matters. Expect continued attention to inflation, interest rates, and consumer confidence as each will shape pricing, inventory strategies, and capital allocation. IP Essentials: Protect the Brand A brand can be a company’s lifeline — it must be instantly recognizable and consistent across stores, marketplaces…

Saks Global, the parent company behind Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday after naming a new CEO, multiple news outlets reported. Former Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck will lead the luxury department store group through the bankruptcy, helping navigate its heavy…

Costco is suing the Trump administration, alleging the tariffs the U.S. president imposed earlier this year were done unlawfully, and asking for a full refund of the tariffs already paid. In the lawsuit, filed last week in the United States Court of International Trade, Costco claims it might be difficult to receive a refund once…

While the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act (INFORM Act) went into effect on June 27, 2023, very few online marketplaces have focused on this law since then. However, the INFORM Act is now receiving increased attention from Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. Online marketplaces that operate platforms for…

Visa and Mastercard announced a revised settlement with merchants who accused the card networks of charging too much to accept their credit cards, after a judge rejected an earlier $30 billion accord as inadequate. Monday’s settlement would end 20 years of litigation in which businesses accused Visa, Mastercard and banks of conspiring to violate U.S.…

Amazon.com has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity that demands the artificial intelligence startup prevents its Comet browser from making purchases on Amazon. In a blog post responding to Amazon's letter, Perplexity claims Amazon is "bullying" the company and that its demands pose "a threat to all internet users." Amazon alleges the Comet agent violates its terms…

Amazon.com will pay $2.5 billion to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allegations that the company duped users into paying for Prime memberships, the regulatory agency announced last week. The surprise settlement comes as Amazon and the FTC were just three days into the trial in a Seattle federal court. Opening arguments in the case occurred Tuesday,…

Claire's, a mall boutique chain favored by tweens, teens and young women, is set to close more than 290 stores as part of its bankruptcy process, reports USA Today. Stores to be closed include 235 Claire's locations in the U.S. and 56 Icing stores. The filing also listed 830 stores — 785 Claire's locations and…

Today's retail operations rely on more than just products or e-commerce design. Behind the scenes, fulfillment providers depend on regional couriers, cloud-hosted payment processors, and outsourced customer service teams. These multitiered networks help retailers meet expectations for speed and convenience but also introduce potential failures that can disrupt service, delay deliveries, or compromise data. When…