Consumer Electronics

San Francisco -- More than one-third of customers who returned gifts they received this past holiday season were not satisfied with their return experiences, according to a new study released by MarketTools, which provides software and services for market research and enterprise feedback management.

The study found that of those not satisfied with the return process, 32% cited the retailer’s return policy as the main source of angst, 23% were unhappy with the form of refund the retailer provided, and 22% were dissatisfied with long lines.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy Mobile, the mobile specialty retail unit of Best Buy Co., announced that it is extending the offer to “future proof” smart phone purchases for free through Feb. 26 in all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile standalone stores across the country. As part of this special two-week offer, customers can also receive the Buy Back Program at no cost when purchasing tablets, including the Apple iPad, at Best Buy Mobile standalone stores.

Walmart has sold AT&T iPhones in its store for several years now so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the company would be offering the iPhone 4 now that it is available on the Verizon network. The company announced availability of the product at 600 of its stores earlier this week, which is consistent with a broader strategy in the electronics and entertainment category to be a leader or at least a fast follower.

Word out of Minneapolis this week courtesy of a Bloomberg story is that Best Buy plans to emulate Walmart’s pricing model in order to confront the issue of price transparency and simplify its operations. Smartphone wielding shoppers armed with price comparison apps have quickly changed how consumers shop and make purchases of highly considered items, such as those which dominate the product mix at Best Buy or in Walmart’s electronics department.

Being supplied by 100% renewable energy sounded like a lofty goal when it was identified as one of Walmart’s top three sustainability priorities in late 2005, but as other retailers have demonstrated, it is an attainable goal.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced that iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network will be available in select Walmart stores starting Feb. 10.  

 "We're excited to bring iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network, one the most anticipated mobile phone launches in recent history, to Walmart customers," said Gary Severson, SVP home entertainment for Walmart U.S. "As customers continue to embrace smart phone technology, we've added nearly 20 smart phone models to our assortment, including the new Verizon Wireless iPhone 4."

Indianapolis -- Appliance and electronics retailer Hhgregg reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 18.4% to $26.9 million, compared with $22.7 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 30.6% to $653.7 million. Same-stores dropped 6.2%.