Returns began pouring into retailers early in the post-holiday time frame, according to nShift, which produces parcel delivery management software.
In an analysis nShift conducted, December 28 — dubbed Returns Wednesday — was the biggest day for consumers returning unwanted gifts in 2022. By looking at which days saw carrier companies alerted of the need to collect an item, nShift could determine which days were the most popular for consumers to get the return ball rolling. Although December 28 might be considered quick, nShift noted, many consumers began sending things back on Christmas Day itself. On that day, 1% of returns started back, while on December 28, the figure was 25.6%. The next two biggest returns days surrounded December 28, nShift stated. So, consumers initiated 22.3% of returns on December 29 and 22% on December 27.
Philipp Goldberg, nShift product director for returns, noted, “This is yet more evidence that when people shop online, they expect to be able to return products quickly and simply. When a retailer does not make their returns policy clear, or the process seems cumbersome, shoppers are more likely to abandon their purchase. This may be especially the case when they are buying a gift for someone else.”
