If you want to return any gifts you received for the holidays, the BBB has some help. The bureau recommends folks try and find out the return policy for the store they need to visit before heading there and to bring a gift receipt with them if they have one. Also, ask about a restocking fee which can be up to 25-percent of the purchase price for some items.
Meantime, Mastercard says retail sales rose seven-point-six percent during the holiday shopping season.
The increase is a half-percent higher than the financial services company had projected in September.
The Mastercard Spending Pulse report shows this year's holiday sales growth is down nearly one-percent from 2021.
It noted that many deal-hungry consumers took advantage of steep discounts offered by major retailers including Amazon and Walmart.
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