Skip to main content

As Online Holiday Sales Soar, So Does the Burden of Returns

As economists are expecting online holiday sales to show an 18 to 19 percent year-over-year growth rate, retailers and brands are faced with a record number of product returns. Companies are also dealing with steeper shipping costs, which is now becoming a top expense. One carrier alone is expecting nearly 2 million returns on Jan. 2, which is now known as “National Returns Day.” [See related story: Holiday Shipping, What to Expect This Shopping Season] UPS, which offers a variety of solutions to help businesses better manage returns, is predicting a “seventh consecutive record-breaking National Returns Day as consumers send back holiday orders ranging from ill-fitting sweaters to duplicate kitchen gadgets,” the company said in a statement adding that on Jan. 2 shoppers are expected “to deposit 1.9 million returns packages into the UPS network — a 26 percent spike from last year’s peak returns day.” UPS said its solutions make it easier for consumers to return holiday gifts. In its own survey of shoppers, the carrier said consumers “make purchases with returns in mind.” UPS noted that 73 percent of online shoppers “say the returns experience affects their likelihood to buy from a retailer again.” UPS and other carriers tout services that make the

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Read More...

from WWDWWD https://ift.tt/2Q0QFJo

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Michael Urie Is in His Dreamy Era

“It’s been a dreamy couple of years,” says Michael Urie on a Friday afternoon phone call, just hours before a performance of his latest Broadway show “Once Upon a Mattress” at the Hudson Theatre. These dreamy years have also been busy ones for the star, who rose to fame for his role as Marc St. James on the sitcom “Ugly Betty.” Now, Urie stars in the hit Apple TV dramedy “Shrinking” alongside Harrison Ford and Jason Segel — season two premieres Oct. 16. He has also taken the stage by storm over the past couple of years, starring in Broadway’s revival of “Spamalot” and now the revival of “Once Upon a Mattress,” which also had a stint at New York City Center in the winter. While both shows feature Urie in showstopping musical numbers, he never considered himself to be “very musical.”  Michael Urie in “Once Upon a Mattress.” “Doing a musical at all, it’s still a pinch me thing,” he says. “I fell in love with theater because of musicals…[but singing] didn’t come naturally to me.” ...

Prince Harry Returns to London With His Signature Style for the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary

Prince Harry returned to London on Tuesday and Wednesday for events celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Invictus Games Foundation. The Duke of Sussex is the patron of the Invictus Games, a multisport event for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women launched in March 2014. On Tuesday, Prince Harry was joined by journalist Louise Minchin, entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills and more for a panel conversation titled “Realizing a Global Community.” For the occasion, the British royal family member kept his business attire approachable, opting for a gray suit and white button-down shirt with the top few buttons undone. Louise Minchin and Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex’s conversation with panelists highlighted the global impact the Invictus Games have had since their inception 10 years ago. Prince Harry was also on hand for another event on Wednesday. Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex attended The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, ...

Love Island star Gabby Allen brands I’m A Celeb star Myles Stephenson a ‘liar’ in scathing Instagram post

It’s been three months since Gabby Allen split from I’m A Celeb star Myles Stephenson, and now she’s branded him a "liar" and a "cheater" in a scathing Instagram. The Rak-Su star’s appearance on I’m A Celeb has ruffled feathers among Gabby and her friends. And despite confessing to “not watching” the ITV show, Gabby took to Instagram to address some things he’d discussed. Myles was having a meaningful conversation with former footballer Ian Wright about his quest to find love and said he struggles to meet girls who aren’t with him for the fame. His comments seemingly spurred Gabby to tear into him on Instagram. READ MORE CELEBRITY NEWS Alongside a picture of a cheetah with Myles’ face photoshopped into it, the Love Island star wrote, “Omg I’m dead. I’m not even watching the show but people are sending me things like this. Saying meet ‘meaningful Milo’.” “Apparently he was on about ‘meaningful relationships’. I’m not sure the guy knows what he’s on about tbh...