£3.2bn worth of returns expected this months

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jan 5, 2022

After a busy Christmas trading period for many retailers, now comes the downside. It’s that time of year when unwanted gifts are being returned, and this year’s tally could add up to £3.2 billion, says delivery specialist ParcelHero.

However, a new report from the firm suggested Omicron has reduced the traditional deluge of unwanted gifts being returned on ‘Takeback Tuesday’ this year, as many people either haven’t returned to the office or are off sick due to the surge in Omicron cases. And the report warned consumers not to delay as some retailers’ return windows have already closed.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks, said: “Over 10% of all gifts purchased from 1 November to 24 December will wing their way back to the retailer. We are urging everyone to read the small print on their receipts however, as some stores’ return windows were far less generous than others.

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“Shoppers who purchased items as late as Christmas Eve on sites without extended deadlines only have until this Friday, 7 January, to send back unloved gifts or notify the seller they are returning unwanted items.”

And Harvey Nichols’ deadline for returns is today (5 January), for items purchased between 11 November and 22 December. Selfridges customers who shopped early have already run out of time. Its grace period ended on 4 January on all items bought between 14 November and 7 December. 

He also said House of Fraser, Littlewoods, Net-a-Porter, Next and Very’s Christmas returns windows end on Sunday, 9 January.”

He noted the most generous returns policies include Amazon, ASOS, Debenhams, Gap, The White Company and Warehouse, giving consumers until the end of this month to return unwanted items for refund or exchange.