RETAILING

New York to Rule on Macy-Federated Merger: The attorney general’s office is expected to announce today whether it will oppose the planned merger of R.H. Macy & Co. and Federated Department Stores. The attorney general has scheduled a news conference for today, prompting speculation that the office will object to aspects of the planned merger on antitrust grounds. The Federal Trade Commission ended its review of the planned deal Friday, concluding that such a merger would not violate federal antitrust laws. New York-based Macy--operator of the Macy’s, Bullock’s and I. Magnin chains--and Federated reached a tentative merger agreement July 13.