Kim Wilson November 22, 2012 Herald Sun THE days of the flexible, open-ended return policy at one of Australia’s oldest and biggest retailers are over with the introduction of a 30-day, proof-of-purchase-only return policy. Myer said customers wanting to return goods for a full refund could do so with a receipt and only within 30 days of buying. Myer’s corporate affairs general manager, Jo Lynch, said the decision was made after a 12-month consultation process. “Myer has a … long legacy in regard to customer returns and one of our priorities was to protect that,” Ms Lynch said. “Over 12 months we carried out a comprehensive review of our policy, what’s happened around the world and Australia, feedback from focus groups and our team.” She said while most consumers returned goods within 30 days, there were cases of people returning items several months and sometimes years after they were bought.…

David Murray November 22, 2012 The Courier-Mail HIGHLY sophisticated bankcard skimming devices have been found attached to ATMs in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall, for the first time in Australia. The devices are installed over the top of ATM card slots in just seconds and have put thousands of shoppers at risk ahead of Christmas, police warn. “It’s a perfect time to strike because of the high volume of turnover in the ATMs,” Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the fraud squad said. “We know cards have been compromised over the days prior to the discovery and we know money has been withdrawn from accounts. “We also know the fraudsters have had possession of these devices, we suspect, for the last five months.” The devices target specific ATM models and were found in two adjacent machines in QueensPlaza last week. A customer noticed something amiss with an ATM belonging to one of…

November 22, 2012 The Age Breads and spreads supplier Goodman Fielder says it is on course to make $100 million in annualised savings by 2015. Goodman Fielder managing director Chris Delaney said the company’s business improvement program, Project Renaissance, was producing its targeted cost savings and operational efficiencies. “We are right on time in delivering that $100 million, and we continue to be confident in our ability to deliver the full $100 million over the strategic plan,” Mr Delaney told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting in Sydney on Thursday. Goodman Fielder in August posted a net loss of $146.9 million for the year to June 30, but the result was a 12 per cent improvement on the prior year’s loss of $166.7 million. Goodman Fielder’s brands include White Wings, Meadow Lea, Praise and Helga’s. Mr Delaney said Goodman Fielder and its retailer customers had agreed on price increases…

Holly Ife November 22, 2012 Herald Sun HUNGRY Jack’s and Chupa Chups have been slammed for their digital advertising of junk food to children. In a first this year, the Parents’ Jury assessed apps, due to growing concern about the industry’s use of digital media to target children and teens. They named Hungry Jack’s Makes it Better app and Chupa Chups Lol-a-Coaster app as joint winners of the Digital Ninja Award in their 2012 Fame and Shame Awards. “Many kids today are more tech savvy than their parents, but they’re no less vulnerable to sophisticated food marketing techniques,” said Parents’ Jury campaign manager Corrina Langelaan. “Something that looks like a free and fun game like Lol-a-Coaster in fact contains what many parents will consider insidious forms of branding,” Ms Langelaan said. “The Hungry Jack’s Makes it Better App is a perfect example of a Digital Ninja. With its free junk…

Jane Harper November 23, 2012 Herald Sun RETAIL heavyweight Woolworths has mounted a fierce defence of its investment program as it battles to prise back momentum from arch-rival Wesfarmers. Woolworths directors say the company is reaping rewards from its investment drive in what continues to be a difficult retail climate. The group says cost cutting and new initiatives have helped the group deliver solid performances across its major businesses. “There is no doubt we are experiencing most challenging conditions for retailers, with low levels of consumer confidence,” outgoing chairman James Strong said yesterday. “The benefits of the investments in recent years in efficiency improvements, growth and innovation were on display in this result.” It came as Wesfarmers received a boost from global ratings agency Moody’s, which lifted its credit rating on the conglomerate from Baa1 to A3. Moody’s said the upgrade reflected Wesfarmers’ success in transforming the Coles supermarket chain.…