Online shopping return rates in the United States have soared! It is expected that $279 billion worth of goods will be returned in 2022!

It is learned that according to the latest forecast from eMarket, US online shoppers will return $279.03 billion worth of goods this year, an increase of 8.4% from last year and more than double the amount in 2019 ($118.41 billion).

Two key factors driving the growth in online returns are inflation and changes in consumer behavior. First, inflation has driven up commodity prices, leading to an increase in the value of returned goods. Second, shoppers are buying more clothes or other items than ever before, trying them on at home, and then returning unsatisfactory items. According to a recent study by Narvar, 63% of shoppers have engaged in this consumer behavior this year, an increase from 55% in 2019.

According to a survey by Appriss Retail and Incisiv, in 2022, more than 90% (91%) of US retailers will see their return rates grow faster than revenue. The survey found that retailers’ online return losses accounted for 21% of the total order value due to increased packaging, labor and shipping costs. The survey also found that if another retailer makes the return process complicated or charges customers a return fee, shoppers will be reluctant to consume. Currently, 54% of US consumers will not shop at online retailers that charge return fees.

Many retailers are taking steps to reduce online returns, including Walmart, which recently added curbside returns and door-to-door pickup and extended its holiday return period to January 31, 2023.

To let shoppers learn more about products before buying, Walmart and IKEA have also launched AR features that let shoppers use their smartphones to see how furniture will look in their homes. Amazon also launched a virtual try-on feature for shoe buyers earlier this year. In addition, more and more retailers are working with third-party return service providers, such as PayPal's Happy Returns.

eMarket predicts that in 2022, the value of online returns in the United States will account for 26.5% of consumer spending, far higher than 19.8% in 2019. The amount of returns from third-party marketplaces will reach US$43.5 billion.

Editor ✎ Nicole/

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