It’s Takeback Wednesday

On Wednesday 2 January 2019 – Takeback Wednesday - returns of online purchases are predicted to increase by 80 per cent compared to the average number of return parcels per day in December. Takeback Wednesday is the day that most Brits will return their unwanted and ill-fitting Christmas presents.

According to a study commissioned by Royal Mail, six in ten online shoppers will not use a retailer again if they have a difficult returns experience so it’s important to get it right!

Clothing, electrical goods and computer software/hardware are the most commonly returned items. The study reveals women are more likely to return something because the item is not what they expected. Men are more likely to return a non-clothing item because it’s incompatible or not useful for its intended purpose.

The average online shopper in the UK sends back an online purchase every month. Over half of those that return clothing or footwear said the most common reason to return is because the item didn’t fit or was the wrong size.

Try before you buy

One in three of those that return items have used ‘try before you buy’ services. 18-34 year old shoppers are more likely to have used this service.

Clothing and footwear) are the categories people are most likely to use this service for, followed by electrical goods.

Two in five shoppers believe a retailer offering a ‘try before you buy’ service would mean they would purchase more items.