Bon Worth, L.L.Bean, Haggar & Carter’s Top Consumer Reports Outlet Store Ratings

CR December 2014 Cover YONKERS, NY — When it comes to satisfying customers, Bon Worth, L.L.Bean, Haggar and Carter’s are among the better outlet stores, according to Consumer Reports. They earned the highest scores among 53 of the nation’s major outlet chains, based on a survey of 15,789 CR subscribers.

The report, which includes the full Ratings of outlet stores and tips for saving the most time and money, is available in the December issue of Consumer Reports and at ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports’ survey, which reflects 25,441 visits to outlet stores, reveals how the chains rate based on value, quality, selection, and help. Overall, 67 percent of readers said that they were completely or very satisfied with their experience, up from 60 percent in CR’s 2010 survey. And most were happy with outlet deals – 64 percent of store visits yielded a great value, and at 34 percent of stores prices were much lower than the sale prices at regular stores.

“Outlet malls are quite popular thanks to Americans’ demand for bargains. Our survey revealed that some outlets do offer serious bargains on well-made merchandise,” said Mandy Walker, Senior Projects Editor for Consumer Reports.

Still, surveyed shoppers had a few gripes. For example, 8 percent said they found a poor selection of styles, sizes, or colors, and 6 percent complained that the quality of the merchandise was lower than they expected. Outlet chains that ranked on the lower end included American Eagle Outfitters, Old Navy, Gap, Nike and Levi’s.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

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Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

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