Next up for retailers: A big wave of gift returns Toggle share menu
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Next up for retailers: A big wave of gift returns
FILE PHOTO: A woman takes pictures of the Christmas window at the Macy s Herald Square store in New York City, New York, U.S., November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
25 Dec 2020 08:20PM (Updated:
26 Dec 2020 09:50AM) Share this content
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NEW YORK: As shoppers tuck their final Christmas presents under the tree, US retailers are bracing for a record-setting flood of returns of online gifts bought during the deadly surge in coronavirus cases. To make the process more efficient, retailers including Walmart Inc and Target Corp let shoppers drop unwanted gifts at FedEx or United Parcel Service drop-off sites.
A big wave of gift returns
Business
December 26, 2020
NEW YORK: As shoppers tuck their final Christmas presents under the tree, U.S. retailers are bracing for a record-setting flood of returns of online gifts bought during the deadly surge in coronavirus cases, Reuters reported.
To make the process more efficient, retailers including Walmart Inc and Target Corp let shoppers drop unwanted gifts at FedEx or United Parcel Service drop-off sites.
Others, including Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nordstrom, are offering curbside returns for the first time as efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 have shuttered stores or reduced the number of customers allowed inside.
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The more retailers sell this holiday season, the more will likely boomerang back as returns in the new year.
That s especially true this year due to the surge in online selling, with the ongoing pandemic keeping customers from shopping indoors or limiting their numbers when they do. E-commerce soared 31.2% year over year in October and 32.4% again in November. And a quarter of that, on average, is likely to be returned, with even higher rates for apparel and electronics, according to A.J. Hernandez, CEO of crossborder parcel delivery firm SkyPostal.
Others peg typical e-commerce returns at closer to 30%. Either way, that s already a lot of sales going in the wrong direction. But for several reasons, retailers could see the rate go even higher.
Delivery secrets if you miss shipping deadlines
With all the holiday shopping, there is likely to be more shipping. Here are some options if you miss shipping deadlines. Author: Niccole Caan (KENS 5) Published: 10:43 PM CST December 14, 2020 Updated: 10:43 PM CST December 14, 2020
SAN ANTONIO This holiday you will not only have to shop smart, but you will need to ship smart, too. You have already heard this advice:
“Shop early and ship early,” said Sara Skirboll, a shopping expert with Retail Me Not.
Skirboll said do not dread shipping deadlines. You have got options if you miss them. You can pay extra for premium shipping like express or overnight, but she said just be aware your item might arrive after that window because: