In the world of ecommerce, returns are a common occurrence. On average, around 20% to 30% of all products ordered online are returned, which is significantly higher than the 8.89% return rate seen in brick-and-mortar stores. This disparity highlights the challenges ecommerce businesses face due to factors like product dissatisfaction, incorrect sizing, and discrepancies between the product and its online description.
The return rate can vary significantly across different product categories. For instance, the clothing and apparel sector experiences the highest return rates, with a notable 26% return rate in the U.S.. In contrast, categories like hobby supplies and garden products have much lower return rates, around 6%.
Understanding these statistics is crucial for ecommerce businesses, as they can help identify areas for improvement and enhance customer satisfaction. Offering hassle-free returns is key, with 79% of customers expecting free return shipping. Moreover, 92% of consumers are more likely to make repeat purchases if the return process is easy.
To manage returns effectively, many businesses are adopting specialized software and strategies to streamline the process, making it both convenient for customers and cost-effective for the business.