AEON Stores (Hong Kong) Co., Limited, Hong Kong

Hidden Credit Card Fees Under Fire - The Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008, supported by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and numerous other industry groups, is being debated in the House and Senate. At the heart of the Act is the credit card interchange fee, a non-negotiable fee averaging about 2 percent that MasterCard and Visa banks charge merchants when a credit or signature debit card is used. The banks require merchants to include the fee in their advertised prices and not on receipts or monthly statements. The NRF estimates that American households will pay $427 in interchange fees in 2008, compared to $378 in 2007. The Act would require banks to negotiate with merchants to reach agreed-upon terms and conditions.

Department Store Sales Not Stimulated by Stimulus Checks - The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 helped boost disposable personal income 7.3 percent in May 2008 compared to a year ago, but this money didn't make it into department store cash registers. The US federal government issued rebate payments of about $48 billion in May 2008; however, department store sales decreased 3 percent the same month compared to a year ago. Those benefiting appear to be warehouse clubs, superstores, and online retailers, where consumers are making necessary, as opposed to discretionary, purchases.

Organized Retail Crime Rising - Organized retail crime results in about $30 billion in losses to retailers annually, according to the FBI. Local police, the IRS, and the FBI busted a nationally organized retail crime ring in San Jose, California, in June 2008, bringing to light the growing threat of organized crime to US retailers and consumers. These crime rings typically shoplift massive amounts of merchandise, then resell the stolen goods through such venues as flea and swap markets, Internet auction sites, and pawn shops. Without federal legislation to combat these rings, they'll likely continue to flourish.