US EditionYour Holiday Gift Returns Might Go to a Landfill. Here’s What You Can Do About It
- On December 26, returns surged 25% to 30%, kicking off the post-Christmas 'Returnuary' trend, Axios reported with supporting data.
- Consumers often return gifts because recipients dislike apparel and footwear, receive duplicates or electronics, want cash, or engage in bracketing behavior by buying multiple sizes and returning extras.
- The numbers show substantial environmental costs as the Report on 2025 returns projects 20% to 25% of retail sales will be returned, totaling $1 trillion and producing 8.4 billion pounds of landfill waste.
- Retailers are preparing with staffing and policy changes this year, expanding return windows and holiday staff while individual retail stores may be understaffed and Amazon requires customers to pay in some cases.
- Retailers and tech firms are rolling out fixes like Blue Yonder's Optoro acquisition, 3D imaging, VR, charging for returns, packaging reuse, and faster resale to reduce waste soon.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Associated Press News
Why your holiday gift returns might go to a landfill and what you can do about it
The month after Christmas has been dubbed “Returnuary” for good reason. The National Retail Federation estimates 17% of holiday purchases will be sent back this year.
Easy, free returns have become the expectation. Here’s why they also present a big problem.
The holiday season is upon us — the time of giving gifts, receiving gifts and, increasingly, returning gifts. But what really happens to the online purchases you return to the retailers? Where do they go?
Today is biggest day of the year for gift returns, but is it the best
The day after Christmas is the biggest day of the year for gift returns, but one consumer expert says it’s not the best day to take that ugly sweater back to the store. “Lines are long, tempers may be a little bit short,” said Edgar Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org. “Wait a couple of days.” When you do go back, Dworsky advises knowing the store’s return policy and bringing your receipt or gift receipt. For electronics, don’t break the facto…
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