Royal Mail described 02 January 2024 as Takeback Tuesday, as it predicted returns of online purchases to increase by 52% compared to the average number of returned parcels per day in December.
Takeback Tuesday is the day many UK shoppers will return their unwanted and ill-fitting Christmas presents, following the festive season.
Returns will remain an important part of the online shopping experience this year. A recent Royal Mail survey found 81% of shoppers agree that a good returns experience would make them more likely to shop with that retailer in the future.
Additionally, over 80% of consumers are also less likely to shop with a retailer that charges for returns, than one that doesn’t. Almost half (47%) of those surveyed said free returns would most encourage them to choose one retailer over another when shopping online.
The survey also found 61% of people would prefer to get their return parcels collected from home rather than dropping them off themselves. Royal Mail’s Parcel Collect service is currently free making it even easier to send returns in the post.
Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, said: “Now that the festive shopping period has drawn to a close, January is the busiest time of the year for returns. As every retailer knows, an easy and convenient returns experience that’s in line with shoppers’ expectations, is vital for repeat business. Because it’s so convenient, Royal Mail’s Parcel Collect service has been growing fast all year, passing the million collections in a week mark for the first time in December. It makes it so much easier to return a parcel because people don’t have to leave their house. Their regular postie can collect it from them at the same time as they deliver. We can even collect from a safe place if people aren’t going to be in.”
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