Summary
Retail returns in 2024 are projected to reach $890 billion, up from $743 billion in 2023, driven by practices like “bracketing” (ordering multiple sizes/colors) and “wardrobing” (buying for one-time use).
Rising return rates burden retailers, costing up to 30% of an item’s price to process, while contributing to landfill waste and carbon emissions.
To address the issue, 81% of retailers tightened return policies in 2023, with some implementing fees or offering “keep it” refunds.
Sustainable resale programs and customer-friendly policies are emerging as strategies to balance costs and consumer expectations.
Maybe if they didn’t sell garbage that advertises itself with false promises the return rate would be lower.
might be good for the environment if it was common to sell things that did not break in a year and need to be replaced.
yup. go/gi