An ex-merchandising company executive has been accused of exploiting trade secrets to sabotage a $47 million deal with home improvement giant Lowe’s Cos. Inc., according to a recent [federal lawsuit in North Carolina](https://www.law360.com/articles/1864737/merchandising-co-says-ex-vp-sunk-47m-deal-with-lowe-s). The former employer alleges that the executive’s actions directly led to the collapse of the substantial commercial agreement, raising significant concerns about corporate espionage and the protection of trade secrets within major business transactions.