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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Sarah Butler

Many unhappy returns: UK retailers count the costly growth in sent-back items

boxes including shoes laid out on the floor of a lounge
UK shoppers posted back more than £4.1bn of online clothing purchases last year. Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images

As the UK gears up for this year’s festive shopping spree, retailers are increasingly worried about how to handle the millions of unwanted items bought online and then sent back by shoppers.

Up to half of clothing bought on websites is returned, depending on the retailer, and last year the number of items sent back rose by 26% on 2021, with the biggest day for returns being 28 November, the Monday after the Black Friday discount day, according to returns specialist ReBound.

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