Latest news with #FTC
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Couche-Tard to divest 35 locations to Majors Management
This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Alimentation Couche-Tard must divest 35 fuel locations to resolve antitrust concerns and close its $1.57 billion acquisition of GetGo Cafe + Market, the 270-location c-store arm of grocer Giant Eagle, the Federal Trade Commission announced on Thursday. Majors Management will acquire these locations, which are located across 35 markets in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. This appears to be Majors' first foray into Indiana, although a company spokesperson did not respond by press time when asked to confirm this information. Once the deal closes, GetGo will operate as a separate business unit led by Vice President of Operations Mike Maraldo, who became the banner's top executive after former President Terri Micklin departed in the spring, according to an announcement from Couche-Tard. GetGo's senior operations leaders, management and functional support staff will remain at Giant Eagle's corporate campus in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania once the deal closes.. In addition, GetGo's brand, programs and offers will continue, including the popular myPerks loyalty program that it shares with Giant Eagle. The deal is expected to close 'in the coming days,' Couche-Tard President and CEO Alex Miller said during the company's earnings call on Thursday. "GetGo has built an extraordinary brand on the strength of a best-in-class food program, an exceptional store experience and a compelling offer activated by an amazing team that is passionate about their customers and communities," Miller said in the company announcement. "We are very pleased to welcome them to the Couche-Tard team." Couche-Tard must divest the 35 stores within 20 days of closing the GetGo deal and cannot re-acquire any of the locations for 10 years, the FTC said. It must also let the FTC know before acquiring any 'competitively significant' stores in those parts of Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania for the next decade. The stores include 34 Circle K locations and one GetGo site. 'This anticompetitive acquisition threatened to make Americans pay more at the pump by raising fuel prices,' said Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition. 'The FTC's action today preserves competition between gas stations that is critical for keeping fuel prices in check. The FTC will keep a watchful eye on retail fuel markets to make sure American consumers can spend less on gas and keep more money in their pockets.' This isn't the first time Majors Management and Couche-Tard have worked together on getting a deal done. When Majors Management agreed to buy MAPCO in 2023, Couche-Tard bought 112 of the stores as part of the transaction. 'Majors is well-positioned to compete effectively and ensure that competition is fully maintained in the markets that would otherwise be impacted by ACT's proposed acquisition,' said FTC Commissioner Mark R. Meador in a statement. Once the GetGo deal is complete, Couche-Tard can turn its M&A team's full attention to its proposed Seven & i buyout. Miller said during the company's recent earnings call that a decision on if a deal can be reached may not take much longer. Recommended Reading Couche-Tard to acquire GetGo's 270 c-stores Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNET
7 hours ago
- CNET
It's Not Too Late to Claim a Part of Fortnite's $245 Million Settlement. Learn How to File
The FTC has sent almost 1.6 million payments already to Fortnite gamers. Epic Games It's been a good week for Fortnite gamers who felt cheated by accidental in-game purchases. The Federal Trade Commission announced it was distributing $126 million in compensation to 969,173 claimants this week, and it also extended the time to file a claim -- the process had previously ended on Jan. 10, 2025. Games who were charged by Fortnite for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 who haven't already filed now have until July 9, 2025, to participate in the settlement by filing a claim. The FTC says that since December, 629,344 payments went out to players who made those in-game purchases and who filed a valid claim by Oct. 8, 2024. The average payout was about $114 per customer and totaled $72 million. In the settlement, the FTC concluded that Epic Games used design tricks known as dark patterns to make in-game sales. "Fortnite's counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button," the agency said in its March 2023 announcement. The FTC has more money left, so it's extending the claim deadline The FTC apparently still has about $47 million left to distribute from the settlement. On June 25, the agency posted a notice alerting those who haven't yet filed that they now have until July 9, 2025, to submit a claim at The Fortnite settlement applies to anyone who was charged for in-game currency for items they did not want to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022; if a child made credit card charges without a parent's knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; or if an account was locked after a charge was disputed between January 2017 and September 2022. Eligible Fortnite claims will be paid via check or PayPal. Screenshot by CNET Those filing must be 18 or older; minors can ask a parent or guardian to complete the form on their behalf. One CNET staffer received his PayPal deposit (for $95.98) from a Fortnite claim in January, a pleasant surprise since he had forgotten about the settlement. Epic's Fortnite is wildly popular, especially with teens; in one game event last year, 44.7 million players participated on a single day. But the free-to-play game relies on players buying Battle Passes and other items with V-Bucks, the in-game currency. Like other games-as-platforms that have a large audience of young people, such as Roblox, Fortnite has evolved on how to make its game secure for young people and to ensure that payments aren't being generated without the player's authorization. How can I file a Fortnite claim? When you visit the FTC's Epic Games/Fortnite page to file a claim, you will be asked if you received a notification email from the FTC with a claim number. If you have a claim number, select Yes, click Next, then provide your claim number and solve a CAPTCHA test to submit your claim. If you didn't receive a notification or can no longer find your claim number, you can apply for a Fortnite claim using your Epic account ID. If you're not sure of your Epic account ID, follow these steps from the Epic Games support page. Epic Games introduced LegoFortnite in December 2023. Epic Games When and how will I receive my money from the FTC? Eligible claims submitted by Oct. 8, 2024, and January have already started receiving payments. The FTC has not specified when money for new claims filed by July 9 will be distributed. During the claims process on the FTC site, you will be able to specify whether you'd like to be paid with a check or via PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. For questions about your payment, you can call a claims support hotline at 1-800-915-0880 or email admin@ Will filing a claim against Epic Games affect my Fortnite account? According to the FTC, filing a claim will not affect the status of a player's Fortnite account. For more information, see the FTC's Fortnite refunds FAQ.
The Verge
8 hours ago
- The Verge
The FTC has reopened claims for Fortnite settlement refunds: here's how you can submit one
Eligible Fortnite players who felt bamboozled into making unwanted purchases have been given a second chance to request a refund. The Federal Trade Commission has reopened applications to receive refunds from the $245 million settlement that Epic Games reached with the agency until July 9th, after previously closing requests in February. The agreement was announced in 2022 as part of a broader $520 million FTC settlement over privacy violations and alleged use of design tricks that duped players into accidentally buying in-game items. The first wave of 629,344 refunds was issued in December 2024, with the FTC now announcing that it sent out 969,173 new payments on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the total amount of refunds to nearly $200 million. You can apply to receive a refund by visiting Specific details about eligibility are also available on the site, but the FTC says you can submit a claim if: You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022. Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018. Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges. Applications are limited to Fortnite players in the US who are aged 18 or over, otherwise, the FTC says a parent must apply on your behalf. The FTC says it expects additional payments to be sent out in 2026 'after we have reviewed and validated all claims.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FTC Approves Omnicom's $13.5 Billion Acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG)
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG) is one of the . On June 23, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG) reported that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved Omnicom Group's $13.5 billion acquisition of IPG. The acquisition would result in the combination of two of the top four advertising holding companies in the US, with the resulting entity taking the lead as the largest media buying agency in the world with a combined annual revenue of around $25 billion. A modern advertising billboard promoting a company's services in the cityscape. The acquisition was initially announced in December 2024, and the two companies expect it to conclude in the second half of 2025. The FTC approved on the unique condition that the merged company can not steer ad dollars away from media outlets on the basis of ideological or political viewpoints. The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG) provides communications, marketing, and business transformation services. The company's operations are divided into the following segments: Media, Data, and Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising and Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications and Experiential Solutions. While we acknowledge the potential of IPG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Last chance to claim your Fortnite refund – Act fast or risk missing out on free cash
Fortnite players, there is still time to claim a refund for unintended purchases. The US Federal Trade Commission extended the deadline to July 9. The FTC already distributed $126 million in refunds. You can apply if charged for unwanted items between January 2017 and September 2022. Claims can be filed online through the FTC website. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Last chance to get your Fortnite refund Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who can get a refund? Who can file a claim? Watch out for scams Why is Epic Games refunding players? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FTC says kids were targeted FAQs If you or your child made an unintended purchase in Fortnite over the past few years, there's still time to claim a refund, but the clock is US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has extended the deadline for filing a claim related to unwanted Fortnite purchases , as reported by TechRadar. While the original deadline was February 14, the new and final date to submit a claim is July 9, according to the far, the FTC has already distributed $126 million in refunds to players who submitted valid claims by the earlier deadline, as reported by you've already filed a claim, there's no need to do anything else, but in case you haven't, there's still time to act quickly by filing the claim online through the FTC's website, as per the TechRadar READ: Rocket Lab stock skyrockets past 52-week high with 13% surge - what's fueling the rise? The FTC has mentioned that you can apply for a refund if you meet at least one of the following criteria, as compiled by TechRadar:You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful chargesALSO READ: Worry for Jensen Huang's Nvidia? AMD stock skyrockets - what did CEO Lisa Su say that has investors cheering However, to submit the claim form, you must be at least 18 years old and above, so a parent or guardian can also complete the claim form on behalf of those under that age, as reported by to the report, the claims process is only open for those in the United States, while the FTC has also warned against potential refund scams, reiterating the fact that it will never charge in order to file a claim. "Don't pay anyone who promises you an FTC refund in exchange for a fee," as quoted in the READ: Top economist warns: US faces a crisis worse than recession — here's what could be coming The refunds stem from a 2022 settlement between the FTC and Epic Games, Fortnite's developer, according to the report. Epic Games was accused of using deceptive design tactics, which are called 'dark patterns,' to trick players into making unintended purchases, according to the report. The company was also charged with violating children's privacy laws, which is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), as per the TechRadar chair Lina M. Khan said previously that, "Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children," as quoted in the also said, "Protecting the public, and especially children, from online privacy invasions and dark patterns is a top priority for the Commission, and these enforcement actions make clear to businesses that the FTC is cracking down on these unlawful practices," quoted TechRadar in its yet. The deadline is now July 9, 2025. If you're eligible, file online before If your child made charges without your consent, you can still file a claim.
