These are the stores in the US that have started charging fees for product returns

Consumers AmericansHe got used to it Free returnsis facing a new reality in which many companies, including… Messi, Abercrombie, Y crew And H&MImplement Shipping rates of returned products. Company Happy return It was revealed that 81% of Traders now charge fees Through at least some return methods.

AmazonFor example, the collection of A $1 fee If items are returned to stores UPS instead of All foods, Amazon Fresh also ColeThe latter is closer to the customer's delivery address. As he confirmed CNNThis increase in Return fees This is due to the continued growth of online shopping, which results in shoppers returning more products that they cannot see or try in person.

This phenomenon has already generated a noticeable increase in Return ratesaccounting for approximately 17% of total goods purchased in 2022, with a value of approx $816 billionThey returned to stores, compared to 8% in 2019, according to the figures it provided The Wall Street Journal (Wall Street Journal).

Returned products do not always return to retail. Often times, these end in Liquidation warehouses Or landfills, which constitute a Environmental risks. in some cases, Stores They choose to let customers keep returns, especially when it comes to bulky, low-cost items such as Furniture and appliancesAs return shipping costs are not economical for the seller.

During the last holiday period US consumer spending It increased, albeit at a slower pace compared to last year. the Retail It grew by 3.1% in the period from November 1 to December 24, 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data from MasterCard Spending Pulsewhich measures in-store and online sales across all payment methods, which he cited CNN.

The phenomenon of return intensifies further Christmas vacationa time when consumers are expected United State The merchandise will be returned with value $173 billion between Thanksgiving And the end of next January, according to Optororeturn service provider, collected by Wall Street Journal.

this Reverse logistics process This involves not only reviewing the products, but also coordinating the possibility of refurbishing them, donating them, liquidating them or, in the last case, disposing of them in landfills, with Inmar Intelligence He played a decisive role in this administration. Tom Enrightanalyst at a research company GartnerThe American newspaper confirmed: “We are heading to A Trillion dollar problem here“.

the Returns processing costs They reach out to each other $27 return For an online order of $100,… Companies almost lose 50% of your margin on returns when factoring in the cost of the initial sale of the item plus processing the returns, according to Gartner.

This problem has led to Retailers how H&M And Zara To start charging customers Return items by mail. next to, Old Navy It has been implemented Online tools To prove the fit of clothing, and Amazon Buyers are alerted about Commonly returned items.

However, Strict return policies A study by a supply chain software provider revealed that these factors may prevent consumers from making purchases BlueYondercollected by Interested in trade. The report, published in August 2023, indicated that 59% of consumers were discouraged from purchasing because… Inflexible return policies.

In the wake of the holiday season, some retailers have extended return periods. Amazon It announced that most purchases made between November 1 and December 31 of this year will be able to be returned until January 31, 2024. This extension could result in three times the standard 30-day return period, depending on when purchased.

For their part, chains like Costco They maintain particularly generous return policies, allowing customers to return almost any item with no time limit, even those used for years like mattresses. Goal For her part, A RETURN POLICY Which stands out to allow customers to return products from their locations Own brands For up to one year after the date of purchase. This includes refunds on items from their children's clothing brand Kat and Jack.