Overview
- Adobe Analytics projects a 25%–35% jump in returns from Dec. 26–31, the period that historically sees the highest concentration of holiday-season returns.
- The National Retail Federation says about 72% of merchants now charge for at least one return option, and it estimates total returns will reach roughly $849.9 billion in 2025.
- Examples of new or explicit charges include Best Buy’s up to $45 fee on activatable electronics, Macy’s $9.99 mail-return fee for non-members, and Marshalls/T.J. Maxx $11.99 for mail returns, with in-store returns typically free.
- Major retailers have extended holiday return windows into January, including Amazon, Walmart and Macy’s through Jan. 31, Target through Jan. 24, and Best Buy in mid-January, with category exceptions noted.
- Retailers cite costs and fraud for stricter rules, with about 9% of returns deemed fraudulent; operators like Happy Returns are using AI to flag suspicious patterns as many shoppers opt for in-person drop-offs.