L.L. Bean may give the boot to free shipping

L.L. Bean is in a cost-cutting mode.



The company, which is evaluating all aspects of its business, is offering early retirement incentives (it hopes to trim about 500 positions), freezing pensions and taking a “hard look” at its free shipping and generous re-turns policy, the Associated Press reported.



Bean’s century-old returns policy, which allows unhappy customers to return merchandise at any time, in any condition, and often without scru-tiny, had led to abuse, according to the report.



And along with job reductions, Bean is also looking to make changes that benefit the workforce, boosting its 401(k) savings contributions to more workers, providing more flexible time off, paid parental leave and paid eldercare support, the Associated Press said.



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