Convenience stores and drug store chains are fast becoming attractive shopping options in the final days of holiday buying for those procrastinators who don’t want to brave crowded malls.
In an effort to get their share of holiday dollars, CVS Corp., Walgreen Co., Rite Aid Corp. and 7-Eleven Inc. have enhanced their gift assortments, serving up items such as jewelry and designer fragrances.
CVS also has increased its selection of gift cards from mall-based merchants.
The majority of these stores are open Christmas Day, making them easy shopping venues en route to the holiday feast.
Walgreens hopes to help challenged male shoppers.
“We are always looking for new ways to surprise her – and delight her,” said Tiffani Bruce, a spokeswoman at Walgreens.
This October, Walgreens began offering an exclusive new jewelry line called Pure Allure Crystal Collection, priced from $5.99 to $14.99. The collection, which includes pendants, earrings and necklaces, was developed by the Los Angeles-based Robertson Schwartz Agency, a leading product development company.
Walgreens also is featuring a European Beauty Collection made up of seven brands from European department stores.
CVS has made a big plunge into gift card assortments, tripling the number to about 130 from last year. Stores include Home Depot Inc. and Gap Inc., according to Eileen Howard Dunn, company spokeswoman.
CVS also is expanding its assortment of designer fragrances to include Hugo Boss and Dolce &Gabbana. The stores also carry traditional toys, including Barbie dolls and radio-controlled trains and cars.
At 7-Eleven, shoppers will find low-cost phone options – the SpeakOut Wireless Nokia 1600 handset for $49.99, and the Sanyo 2400 with a walkie-talkie feature for $89. Both come charged and ready to talk with $25 of airtime.
Rite Aid’s holiday assortment includes a one-time-use digital camera for $9.99 and spa kits such as the Cranberry Cocktail Gift Set for $14.99 and the Strawberry Decadent Bath Sets for $7.99.
Rules of returns
Consumer experts are warning shoppers and gift recipients to be wary this season as retailers further tighten return policies.
Although more merchants are making their rules more apparent, policies are becoming more complicated, said Edgar Dworsky, a former Massachusetts assistant attorney general and founder of the consumer education Web site www.consumerworld.org.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., for instance, wants computers back within 15 days, cameras back within 30, computer accessories in 45, and all other items within 90 days.
“You almost never see a straight, one category return policy anymore,” said Dworsky. “They’re slicing and dicing return policies.”
This year should bring some relief to shoppers who worry about being “blacklisted” – in other words, placed on a retailers’ list for bringing too many items back. That’s because more retailers are letting consumers know their limits.
Customers of Limited Brands Inc.’s Express and its namesake stores, for example, can only complete five returns within 90 days with a receipt – or bring back $300 worth of merchandise without a receipt.
Dworsky warned that consumers should avoid opening items such as digital cameras if they don’t think they’re going to keep them. Some retailers like Circuit City Stores Inc. and Best Buy Co. charge a 15 percent restocking fee on opened items that are returned.
Luxury items sell out
If you haven’t yet snapped up Chanel’s black stretch python boots for $2,995, you can forget about it. At least until after Christmas. Bergdorf Goodman has sold out of the popular boot and won’t get reorders until after Dec. 29.
And Hermes’ $13,000 Kelly crocodile handbags? That’s sold out, too, according to Hermes spokeswoman Bernice Kwok-Gabel. The fashion house also has a waiting list for Medora clutch handbags, priced from $4,200 to $10,000.
This holiday season, well-heeled shoppers, benefiting from the rebound in the stock market and big bonuses on Wall Street, are showing an even bigger appetite for all things luxury, from pricey designer boots and status handbags to big baubles. That’s creating shortages of a number of luxe items, stores report.
New York-based luxury retail consultant Robert Burke says this season is all about “over-the-top luxury.” Instead of cashmere and scarves, people want “exclusive items,” he said.
According to Ed Burstell, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of footwear, beauty products and accessories at Neiman Marcus Group Inc.’s Bergdorf Goodman, there are also waiting lists for such items as Verdura cuffs, which range from $19,000 to $25,000; and for $6,900 three-quarter black alligator boots by Manolo Blahnik.
At Neiman Marcus stores, diamond watches from $20,000 to $40,000 as well as bold gold cuffs – with and without diamonds – have been hot. Cocktail rings also are popular, and “the bigger the better,” said spokeswoman Stephanie Magna.
Barneys New York’s spokeswoman Kimberly Oser said coveted holiday items include $1,190 leather shopping totes by Valextra and $485 cashmere cardigans
This is the final installment of the Associated Press’ holiday shopping guide.
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