Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Santa Clara, Calif. -- A study of some of the country’s largest retailers’ return policies has found significant failings, according to CrossView, a premier provider of cross-channel commerce solutions.
 

New York City -- Confidence among U.S. consumers increased more than forecast in November to the highest level in five months. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment rose to 71.6 during the month, from 67.7 in October. Economists had projected a reading of 69.5.

The report came as retailers prepared for the Black Friday shopping onslaught, the official start of the holiday shopping season.

New York City -- Online spending should increase by 11% this holiday shopping season, according to date collected by comScore. Already, consumers have spent $9 billion online in the first 21 days of November, a 13% increase versus the corresponding days last year.

ComScore is forecasting that online spending from the November to December period will reach $32.4 billion, representing an 11% gain versus a year ago.

Lewisville, Texas -- Consumers can expect a record-breaking availability of rebates this holiday shopping season, according to Parago, a leading provider of reward programs.

With 2010 rebate performance to-date at blockbuster levels, (Parago has seen a more than 20% increase over the same time last year) more companies are rebating and more products are being sold with robust rebate offers. This momentum of great deals will carry through the holiday season, with more offers and rebate promotions being marketed than previous seasons.

Memphis -- Fred's said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income surged 56%, partly because of its improved merchandise mix and remodeled and upgraded stores.

The discounter’s net iFred's said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income surged 56%, partly because of its improved merchandise mix and remodeled and upgraded stores.ncome rose to $7.8 million for the period ended Oct. 30, compared with $5 million in the year ago period. The performance topped analysts’ estimates.