RETAILING

Check Writing Rose in Last Shopping Week: Consumers nationwide spent 14.4% more via check during the seven days before Christmas of 1992 than during the same period in 1991, said Telecredit/Equifax Check Services, the nation’s largest check authorization company. However, California showed the smallest gain, at 6.8%, versus Florida with the largest rise at more than 29%. Increased consumer confidence and Christmas Day’s falling at the end of the week are contributing factors, Telecredit said.