Retail Roundup: eBay, Costco Call For New Laws, Hackers Hit Tweeter, More

(MoneyWatch)  eBay, Costco, others expected to wage "price war" as they call for new laws -- Some of the nation's largest discounters, including Costco Wholesale Corp. and eBay Inc., are expected to call for new laws blocking manufacturers from setting minimum prices on merchandise. Firms such as MAPtrackers Inc., Cyveillance Inc., Brand Protection Agency, and NetEnforcers Inc. currently scour hundreds of Web sites daily in search of retailers advertising goods ticketed below "the minimum advertised price," or MAP, set by manufacturers. Sites flagged for offering bargains below the MAP typically raise their prices within hours. Minimum-pricing policies were ruled legal last year by the Supreme Court. [Source: WSJ]

After Tweeter closes stores, hackers force electronics chain to shut down site, too -- Just hours after electronics chain Tweeter swiftly shut its doors and fired more than 600 employees days before the company was slated to close, hackers got their own brand of revenge. They apparently broke into Tweeter's Web site Dec. 3, posting a picture of President George Bush along with a message about the bankrupt chain's owner and chief restructuring officer: "Don't trust either of them!!!" The Web site was quickly taken down after the security breach was noticed. Finding the culprit could be difficult as the list of people upset with Tweeter isn't short: Hundreds of workers are still owed salary, vacation time, and bonuses. [Source: The Boston Globe]

Family of man killed in New York Wal-Mart sues store -- The family of a man trampled to death in a New York Wal-Mart as shoppers stampeded into the store for Black Friday bargains filed a lawsuit Dec. 3, claiming the store failed to control the pressing crowd. Jdimytai Damour, a 34-year-old temporary worker, was crushed as he and other employees tried to unlock the doors of the Green Acres Mall store. The suit alleges Damour's death was caused by "wanton disregard for public safety and gross negligence of the defendants." [Source: CNN.com]

Bluefly's senior management takes flight -- Big changes are in store for online apparel retailer Bluefly Inc. in 2009 when President Barry Erdos steps down from his his post and Chief Marketing Officer Bradford Matson leaves the company. Erdos will remain on the board of directors and will be paid about a third of his 2007 base compensation. Bluefly is ranked No. 128 among the Web's top retailers, according to the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide. [Source: internetretailer]