sportstyle

W hen it comes to return policies for retailers, there are several federal laws that apply to returns, including requiring a refund if a product is defective, but navigating the entire return policy landscape generally depends on where your store is located since many states regulate consumer refunds. Making the matter more complicated, states may or may not explicitly apply their respective return law policies to online purchases. In California, for example, retailers are required to post their refund policy unless they offer a full cash refund, exchange, or store credit within seven days of the purchase date. ose retailers failing to adhere to this Golden State policy are required to accept full refunds within 30 days of purchase. Consumers who do not see a refund policy clearly displayed in Florida, have TOPIC 2 NAVIGATING THE RETURN PROCESS, WITH PLENTY TO CONSIDER 8 • July/August 2024 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com FOOTWEAR B-T-S shopping has drifted to buying what children need to start school first rather than the tradition of purchasing new kicks for the whole family during the period. brand and retailer marketing promotion at B-T-S 2023, most seasonal footwear purchases were made closer to school starting dates. Last year, footwear sales peaked during the first two weeks of August. • Footwear sales for kids and teens are predicted to outpace adult purchases. Weather fluctuations and tighter budgets are prompting consumers to focus on the footwear needed in the moment. B-T-S shopping has dried to buying what children need to start school first rather than the tradition of purchasing new kicks for the whole family during the period. During the 12 months ended April 2024, footwear sales for kids and teens under 18 in-creased by 7 percent, but declined by 3 percent for adults, reported the Circana Consumer Tracker. • e pandemic-driven ups and downs in promotional activity in recent seasons will subside. Promotional activity has been more typical this B-T-S season, even though many consumers remain focused on value. Quality, price, and child and teen requests score higher than promotions/ discounts on a Q1 Circana survey. "Fashion tends evolve annually, and we are committed to staying abreast of these changes while remaining true to our mission," commented Jayson Nix, director of inventory and facilities for abbadabba's, the Tucker, GA-based retailer that also operates coolshoes. com. "Our mission is centered on being Atlanta's premier source for innovative and health-conscious footwear. This commitment guides our selection process, ensuring that we offer the latest styles and trends that align with our mission's goals." Looking beyond the B-T-S window, Impact Analysis reporting suggests retailers should prepare for cautious consumers during the upcoming holiday season. n

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