Takeback Monday: a peak in returns

Monday the 4 January 2021, has been dubbed 'Takeback Monday'. This is because returns of online purchases are predicted to increase by 63%. This is compared to the average number of return parcels per day in December, according to Royal Mail. As the first working day of the New Year, Takeback Monday is the day that most Brits will return their unwanted and ill-fitting Christmas presents.

Return experience is a key part

According to Royal Mail, the average online shopper in the United Kingdom sends back an online purchase every month. Three in five online shoppers would be unlikely to use a retailer again if they have a difficult returns experience. The returns experience is a key part of the online shopping puzzle. Therefore, it is very important to get the returns experience right first time.

Reasons for returning items

Over six in ten online shoppers returned clothing, 38% returned electrical goods and 35% returned footwear. The most common reasons for making returns is for clothing not fitting properly (39%) and non-clothing goods not working properly (23%). Furthermore, 18% of younger shoppers (18-34-year olds) are more likely to return items because the item was not as described.

There are many different factors that come into play when it comes to how people return items and who they choose to return them with. Being able to send back unwanted goods for free is top of the list (85%). Moreover, having proof of return is just behind on 84%. Ease of returns is a strong motivator for 80% of shoppers, whilst having friendly staff is important to 70%.