The German E-Commerce and Mail Order Association (BEVH) expects free returns in fashion retail to end soon. “We expect an end to the free returns that have been customary until now and that customers also expect,” said a spokesperson for the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. He cites higher costs as the reason: “The high prices for transport and packaging mean that retailers pass these costs on to customers to a greater extent.”
In general, the boom of the Corona years in the fashion industry is over. Last year, the largest Japanese clothing retailer, Uniqlo, introduced a return rate of EUR 2.95 per package. A few days ago, Zara, the most famous fashion chain of the Spanish Inditex group, followed suit with a return fee of 1.95 euros per return.
Amazon, Zalando and Otto are waiting
According to the BEVH, other companies will follow. “If return shipping costs remain high, Zara and Uniqlo will be the first, but not the last, to pass the cost on to their customers,” the spokesperson said. Amazon, Zalando and Otto have stated on request that they do not intend to charge return costs.
“We will certainly not ask our customers to pay extra for paid returns at a time when they are extra burdened by rising energy prices and miscellaneous goods,” said an Otto Group spokesman.
Every second fashion pack goes back
Marco Atzberger, returns expert at the EHI Retail Research Institute, on the other hand, argues for compensation for compensation: “That’s the right way to go.” Björn Asdecker, head of the return management research group at the University of Bamberg also applauds the move: “Perhaps a start has been made now.”
Germany is the European return champion. According to the EHI, the return rate goes up to 75 percent, with fashion returning every second package on average.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
