Events & Resources
Events
Register for an upcoming webinar and track which industry events our analysts attend.
Learn More →Topics
See All Topics →Latest Articles
Explore our Research →Most employees using AI are saving less than half a workday per week
Article |
Mar 9, 2026
Shoppers hate paying for return shipping more than any other part of the process
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Doctors expect longer visits as parents seek clarity about pediatric vaccine guidelines
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Lowe’s reaches out to Gen Alpha with new rewards program for kids
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Meta faces critical questions as AI spending and regulatory scrutiny intensify
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
J&J launches direct-to-consumer prescription drug site with lower cash prices
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
The health and fitness industry’s future is subscription-first, not hardware-led
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Scam exposure on social platforms threatens brands
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
Email is consumers’ top marketing channel, but inbox fatigue threatens ROI
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
How payment providers should react to OpenAI’s Instant Checkout walkback
Article |
Mar 6, 2026
About
Our Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More →US Retail Ecommerce Returns 2023
How Retailers Can Reduce Costs While Retaining Customers
Download
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Returns surged during the pandemic-fueled ecommerce boom, but some relief is in sight.
Online purchases will account for a growing share of total US retail returns.
Apparel and accessories lift overall return rates for ecommerce.
Problems with size, color, and fit drive online returns.
Bracketing is on the rise, especially among younger shoppers.
The use of third-party drop-off locations for returns is growing.
Consumers prioritize free returns above all else.
Consumers are willing to pay for convenient returns.
Physical locations offer incentives for in-person returns.
Shipping costs are the top challenge for retailers.
Rising returns fraud is adding to retailers’ costs.
What should retailers do to reduce and manage ecommerce returns?
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
Generous returns policies have encouraged shoppers to buy online, but an unsustainable wave of returned goods is forcing retailers to rethink their strategies.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Returns surged during the pandemic-fueled ecommerce boom, but some relief is in sight.
Online purchases will account for a growing share of total US retail returns.
Apparel and accessories lift overall return rates for ecommerce.
Problems with size, color, and fit drive online returns.
Bracketing is on the rise, especially among younger shoppers.
The use of third-party drop-off locations for returns is growing.
Consumers prioritize free returns above all else.
Consumers are willing to pay for convenient returns.
Physical locations offer incentives for in-person returns.
Shipping costs are the top challenge for retailers.
Rising returns fraud is adding to retailers’ costs.
What should retailers do to reduce and manage ecommerce returns?
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery
Executive Summary
Retail returns surged over the past three years, far outpacing the unprecedented growth in ecommerce sales. As retailers struggle for profitability amid ongoing economic uncertainty, they must manage the costs of returns without losing customers.
Key Question: How can retailers limit their ecommerce return costs while still meeting consumer expectations?
%20scale(0.100000,-0.100000)%22%0A%20%20fill=%22%23000000%22%20stroke=%22none%22%3E%0A%20%20%3C/g%3E%0A%3C/svg%3E%0A)
KEY STAT: Overall retail return rates will grow just 2.2% this year, following rapid growth during the height of the pandemic. But ecommerce returns will stay above pre-pandemic levels throughout our forecast period.
Download
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Returns surged during the pandemic-fueled ecommerce boom, but some relief is in sight.
Online purchases will account for a growing share of total US retail returns.
Apparel and accessories lift overall return rates for ecommerce.
Problems with size, color, and fit drive online returns.
Bracketing is on the rise, especially among younger shoppers.
The use of third-party drop-off locations for returns is growing.
Consumers prioritize free returns above all else.
Consumers are willing to pay for convenient returns.
Physical locations offer incentives for in-person returns.
Shipping costs are the top challenge for retailers.
Rising returns fraud is adding to retailers’ costs.
What should retailers do to reduce and manage ecommerce returns?
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
Generous returns policies have encouraged shoppers to buy online, but an unsustainable wave of returned goods is forcing retailers to rethink their strategies.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Returns surged during the pandemic-fueled ecommerce boom, but some relief is in sight.
Online purchases will account for a growing share of total US retail returns.
Apparel and accessories lift overall return rates for ecommerce.
Problems with size, color, and fit drive online returns.
Bracketing is on the rise, especially among younger shoppers.
The use of third-party drop-off locations for returns is growing.
Consumers prioritize free returns above all else.
Consumers are willing to pay for convenient returns.
Physical locations offer incentives for in-person returns.
Shipping costs are the top challenge for retailers.
Rising returns fraud is adding to retailers’ costs.
What should retailers do to reduce and manage ecommerce returns?
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery
authors
Sky Canaves
Contributors
- Suzy Davidkhanian
- Principal Analyst, Retail & Ecommerce
- Blake Droesch
- Analyst
- Wendy Louie-Lam
- Senior Forecasting Analyst
- Amy Rotondo
- Director, US Research
Already have a subscription?Sign In
Access All Charts and Data
Gain access to reliable data presented in clear and intelligible displays for quick understanding and decision making on the most important topics related to your industry
Unlock Unlimited Insights with PRO+
Contact Us →
Worldwide HQ
One Liberty Plaza9th FloorNew York, NY 100061-800-405-0844
Sales Inquiries
1-800-405-0844sales@emarketer.com
* Copyright © 2026
EMARKETER Inc. All Rights Reserved.