Online return

For the first time since online data has been captured as part of the survey in 2019, online return rates are consistent with the overall rate of return, the report said. Online return rates dropped to 16.5% in 2022 from 20.8% in 2021.

Key takeaways:

• The average rate of return for total retail has remained almost flat at 16.5% compared to 16.6% in 2021.
• For every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $165 million in merchandise returns.
• For every $100 in returned merchandise accepted, retailers lose $10.40 to return fraud.
• In terms of holiday sales, retailers can expect an average of 17.9% of merchandise returned, equating to nearly $171 billion.

The rate of retail returns is expected to hold steady at $816 billion this year, according to a report from the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail. Returns of items purchased online will be in line with those purchased from physical stores, the report said.

According to the report, retailers can expect 17.9% of the merchandise purchased this holiday season will be returned. That comes to nearly $171 billion in returned goods. The expected rate of holiday returns is more than a full percentage point higher than the 16.5% average return rate throughout the year.

For the first time since online data has been captured as part of the survey in 2019, online return rates are consistent with the overall return rate, the report said.