Spiegel tests Return Valet, which will roll out nationally next year

The Spiegel Group`s Eddie Bauer, Spiegel and Newport News companies are testing the Return Valet service from Austin, TX-based Newgistics Inc. Newgistics is launching the Return Valet service, which providers online and catalog buyers a physical place to which to return purchases, in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta. Newgistics says the service will be offered nationwide next year to customers of Spiegel, Lillian Vernon and Sincerely Yours.

Customers will take packages to local mail and parcel centers for returns processing. Consumers can find ReturnValet locations at www.returnvalet.com and the participating retailers` web sites, or by calling the participating retailers` toll-free telephone numbers.

Newgistics also offers a second consumer option with ReturnValet called Quick Label, a pre-paid, pre-addressed label that comes in the customers` original package. Quick Label allows consumers to place the parcel directly into the U.S. Postal system. Quick Label was introduced in California on Nov. 1 and will launch nationally with participating retailers in early 2002.