Shop Talk

Check out retailers changing their return policies.
 
More than half the retailers surveyed by the National Retail Federation say their return policies will be more lenient during the holidays than the rest of the year. 
 
Also, 11 percent of retailers said their return policies would be looser than last season.
 
In recent years, some retailers have made it harder to return items in order to combat fraud.
 
But with the Untied States in what many economists say is a recession, retailers are seeing an increase in returns as a percent of sales and are trying to be practical in their policies.
 
“Retailers seem to be finding a balance between providing good customer service to shoppers while preventing criminals from taking advantage of lenient policies,” said Joe LaRocca, NRF Vice President of Loss Prevention.
 
Also in the basket:
 
Wal-Mart profits from discounts
 
U.S. jobless claims highest in 7 years
 
Benetton 9-month net rises, sees 2008 up
 
The return of the interview suit (N.Y. Times)

(Reuters photo)