In brief: N.Y. attorney general questions work practices of 13 retailers

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York’s attorney general has launched an inquiry into 13 major retailers, questioning the practice of keeping workers on call for shifts on short notice and possible violations of the state requirement to pay hourly staff for at least four hours when they report for work.

Letters were sent to Gap Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch, J. Crew Group Inc., L. Brands, Burlington Coat Factory, TJX Companies, Urban Outfitters, Target Corp., Sears Holding Corp., Williams-Sonoma Inc., Crocs, Ann Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has targeted New York employers who cheat or underpay low-wage workers, getting more than $17 million in restitution for about 14,000 workers from fast food franchise owners, construction contractors and others. His office is now examining retailers and whether reporting in to an employer also triggers the pay requirement under New York law.

Jail time given for tainted eggs

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The jail sentences that two former egg industry executives received Monday for their roles in a major 2010 salmonella outbreak represent the latest high-profile victory for government officials hoping to emphasize food safety.

The three-month sentences handed down in federal court are noteworthy because only a handful of cases of corporate misconduct end with executives behind bars. The extent of harm caused by the outbreak and the pattern of problems led to the decision for jail time.

Austin “Jack” DeCoster and his son, Peter DeCoster, each faced up to a year in jail on misdemeanor charges for shipping adulterated food. They will remain free while appealing their sentences.

“There’s a litany of shameful conduct, in my view, that happened under their watch,” U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked 1,939 illnesses to the outbreak, but officials estimate that up to 56,000 people may have been sickened. Investigators argue that the DeCosters knew their Iowa egg facilities were at risk for salmonella contamination before the outbreak.

Apple Watches moving fast

Orders for the Apple Watch quickly soared to nearly 1 million in the U.S. on Friday, according to one research firm’s estimate.

Nearly two-thirds of customers purchased the Sport model, the least expensive at about $383. Apple’s newest gadget went on sale online at 12:01 a.m. Friday and was quickly showing four-to-six-week delays for shipping. Customers who got in early could receive their watch as early as April 24.

Target taps grocery veteran

NEW YORK – Target Corp. has named a 20-year grocery and consumer product industry veteran to help revamp the retail chain’s food business.

The Minneapolis-based retailer said Monday that it has hired Anne Dament to the role of senior vice president, merchandising with food and essentials, a position that had been vacant since late last year.

Dament’s most recent job was at PetSmart, where she was a vice president of services. Before that, she had worked at Safeway, where her last job was as group vice president of perishable strategy at Safeway.

Target is working to overhaul its food strategy over the next 12 to 18 months as part of its plan to revive its overall business. Target plans to emphasize six key categories that resonate most with its customers: better-for-you snacks, coffee and tea, premium sauces and oils, specialty candy, wine and craft beer, and yogurt and granola. It also is expanding its assortment of natural, organic and gluten-free products.

Shoppers will see the most significant changes in food in 2016, the company said.