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The article discusses the decreasing profits of Chinese consumer goods provider Li and Fung Limited. According to the article, despite providing products to retailers such as Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and increasing its acquisitions Li and Fung's revenue rose only 4% during the first half of 2012. The article also looks at how direct sales from factories to retailers and the global economy have affected Li and Fung's profits.

The article reports on efforts by retailers to make return policies more strict, using computer technology to flag serial returners and imposing penalty fees. Some are also making it especially hard to return certain types of products, such as electronics. Sears has imposed a restocking fee that can total as much as 15% of the purchase price for some products that are returned used or with missing parts or manuals. For several years retailers have been making returning goods an increasingly complex process. There is a concern among consumer advocates that good customers will get caught up in the attempt to find those who use the return system for fraudulent purposes.

Reports that Asian manufacturers of electronic gadgets and toys indicate that holiday demand in the United States is up from 2002. View of industry executives that the long-awaited technology recovery is in sight, as evidenced by strong sales to U.S. brand-marketers, distributors and retailers; Pricing of some electronic products, suggesting the cheap cost will spur growth in U.S. sales; Number of models of DVD recorders to be marketed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. in the U.S. under its Panasonic brand; Sales figures from several Asian companies, indicating that requests from several U.S. companies for several types of electronic products are up.

The article reports on the products being prepared by retailers in the U.S. for the 2010 Christmas holiday season, including Nook Wi-Fi e-reader from Barnes & Noble, "Ice Age" Blu-ray movie and 40-ince Westinghouse high definition television (HDTV).

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the ban on price agreements between manufacturers and retailers. It notes that the ruling does not affect the pricing of automobiles, electronic products, books and shampoos. According to economist Jeremy Bulow, a minimum price allows manufacturers to fund training and other services. The court's minority is concerned that the ruling will prevent the delivery of lower price goods to consumers.

The article reports that retail numbers will be released and notes that their strength will be important to the economy. Cool weather drove shoppers into stores for winter clothes while dropping gas prices and a rising stock market helped investors and consumers feel more comfortable about falling real estate prices.

The article focuses on ways to reduce spending by bargaining the price of consumer goods, from groceries and cable bills to hotel stays and medical bills. It is suggested that many lower level employees are being enabled to offer small discounts. As paying in cash saves vendors credit card fees, many stores will offer a cash discount. Threatening to change telephone or cable service providers can tease out special discounts.

This article reports on the stronger-than-expected sales gains of U.S. retailers in January 2006.

Examines the rise in import prices. Increases which were held off when the dollar began its slide to due a reluctance of suppliers to harm their business with the U.S.; Increase of 6.9% for the end of 2004; Belief the higher prices will stay; Wal-Mart Stores which spent $18 billion in goods from China last year which seems to be exempt as the price for consumer goods have not changed much; China's pegging of its currency to the dollar which has helped restrain consumer good prices; Probability that China will gradually take its currency off the dollar value; Why that might not mean higher prices.

Presents information on promotional strategies developed by consumer-goods manufacturers for shelf space in retail stores in the U.S. in 2004.

Discusses the problem of upgrading to the latest gadgets every few years. How the growing world of so-called refurbished products offers some opportunities to cut costs; Why merchants from Dell to Apple to IBM are funneling hundreds of thousands of refurbished products back into the market every year.

Assesses the retail trade sector and focuses on an earnings report due from Best Buy. Predictions on what to expect when Best Buy releases their earnings report; Share price of Best Buy stock; Forecasts for Best Buy share price for fiscal year 2005; Discussion of the new product cycle in consumer electronics; Differing views for the immediate future of the retail trade.

Looks at the prospects for an economic recovery in the second half of 2003 for the retail industry. Estimated percentage increase in July 2003 sales, according to economists, including a big push from cars and trucks; Impact of refinancing market from early in 2003 and the tax cut provided by U.S. President George W. Bush on the increased consumer spending; Meaning to be gleaned from the continued improvement in companies' gross-margin reporting; Analysis of gross margins from Best Buy, Lowe's, Home Depot and Wal-Mart Stores.

Discusses social stability and social problems in the city of Baghdad, Iraq. Scarcity of necessities such as drugs; Observation that commerce is reviving and that stores are opening and sales of consumer goods have been increasing; Value of the Iraqi dinar; Strength of the Iraqi produce trade and farmers' markets; Description of a day in the life of the city.

Reports on the retail sales figures for March 2003. View that March 2003 sales figures are not good; Impact of the Easter holiday not falling in March on 2003 sales figures relative to 2002 sales figures; Indications that the department store sector is lackluster; Companies doing poorly including J.C. Penney, Eckerd, and Sears Roebuck; Discussion of SunTrust and bank falling profit margins.

Discusses the impact of gift cards on the retail trade. Way that the loss or underuse of the cards by consumers has created a profit for restaurants and stores; Conflict between states, retailers, and consumers over who should keep the unspent money on cards and whether they should carry expiration dates; Mention of the gift-card company Moneris Solutions Inc., which encourages retailers to buy cards for extra profits; Way that many card recipients spend more than the value on their card.

Gives information concerning Wal-Mart Stores. Report that the fourth-quarter earnings of the retailer should reiterate its expectations for the year; Expectation that the company's earnings will grow, in spite of a failing economy and deflationary pressure; Competition between Wal-Mart and Target Corp. in the retail trade; Way that Costco Wholesale has competed with Wal-Mart in prices.

Discusses how some luxury retailers are trying to attract shoppers' interest by selling certain items in limited locations. Strategy of Tod's SpA, Milan, which plans to renovate its stores in Paris, Rome and New York City; How a minor retail revolution away from standarization at the high end started with Italy's Prada in New York City; Background on global expansion by international fashion houses; Focus of Gianni Versace SpA and Burberry PLC.

Discusses the post-Christmas shopping season, and the success of retail stores during the season. Importance of the post-Christmas season for the retail trade; Topic of the Christmas shopping season, during which retail sales fell from 2001; Gift card and gift certificate sales, which cannot be posted by a retailer until they are redeemed; Warning from Wal-Mart Stores to investors.

Discusses the abundance of product variations in the United States consumer-products market. Why companies continue to introduce new products into an already crowded market; Example of multiple shampoo varieties produced by Procter & Gamble; How too many choices can frustrate customers; Response of retailers.

Reports on plans by Walt Disney Co. to revamp its consumer-products unit whose faltering performance has been a problem for the entertainment giant. What it will cost Disney to make these changes; Disney's attempt to move beyond character-based goods; Plans by Disney to begin producing apparel and other items that will have a Disney label but not necessarily a character printed on the front.

Focuses on the emergence in the supermarket industry of slotting fees, or the fees grocery manufacturers pay to get their goods on the shelves. How slotting fees work; Benefits of slotting fees.