Clothing Return Fees | Can They Reduce Overconsumption?

With the rise of online shopping, clothing returns have become routine. But returning items isn’t the harmless fix it seems. Learn about the process and whether return fees change our attitude towards sending clothes back.

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THE RISE OF RETURNING CLOTHING

Internet shopping has boomed in recent years. Postage can take less than 24 hours; if something doesn’t fit, you can easily send it back. Many people buy multiple sizes or colours at once to ensure their item is the perfect fit. People even wear clothing once, keep the tags on and send them back.

Statistics show that when we shop online we return more clothes. In the US, 8-19% of sales from physical shops are returned, but this increases to 20-30% for e-commerce purchases. The creation of companies like Klarna, which allows you to purchase an item and pay for it in instalments over the next 30 days, increases this. Klarna advertises its services with the slogan “Paying after delivery allows you to try before you buy”. People can order clothing, try them on, and send them back, all before having paid for it.

All of these factors contribute to the rise in the return of clothing.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH RETURNING CLOTHING?

Returning clothing might seem the perfect solution, but it’s far from simple. The process doubles the transport involved, increasing carbon dioxide emissions, and using more plastic since the items are repackaged.

Clothing companies lose money managing returns. They need more employees to process and clean the items. The cost of transportation and labour can cost businesses around 66% of the item’s original price. While some argue that this creates jobs, the financial and environmental costs are high.

When companies can’t resell returned clothes they often end up in landfill. This happens when it is too much financial and logistical effort for the company, or when the items are in poor condition. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reports that one truckload of clothing is sent to a landfill or burned every second.

Excess Clothing — ©Waldemar via Unsplash

WHY ARE RETURN FEES BECOMING POPULAR?

Companies have return fees to curb the costs associated with returns. These fees can help to cover the cost of hiring additional staff for cleaning items and the cost of transportation.

They are also implemented to encourage more thoughtful purchasing decisions. Being charged to return an item theoretically makes consumers more selective in their purchases. This would reduce the monetary loss on companies.

ARE RETURN FEES ETHICAL?

The ethics of return fees are debated. While these fees often cover the cost of processing returns, they face wider criticism. Critics argue that return fees are unfair when items are returned due to inaccurate sizing or poor product descriptions, issues beyond the consumer’s control. Charging customers for problems created by the retailer seems unfair. Return fees are often criticised for shifting the blame for overconsumption onto individual consumers rather than addressing their own harmful practices and mass overproduction.

These extra fees can reduce brand loyalty, as customers may not want to buy items they have to pay to return if they don’t fit or look as expected. These fees can also create barriers to purchases, especially for low-income consumers who may find the additional costs prohibitive.

DO RETURN FEES ACTUALLY IMPACT CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR?

Studies show that return fees impact customer behaviour in several ways. Customers become more cautious with their purchases, thinking about whether they truly want or need the item. This shift in thinking leads to fewer impulse buys and reduces the number of returns. However, studies also show that return fees often mitigate the return of items even when customers are dissatisfied. For example, when an item does not fit or look as expected, customers sometimes fail to return it, feeling penalised for problems beyond their control. This can lead to decreased brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.

ALTERNATIVES TO RETURN FEES

There are many alternatives to imposing return fees to help companies maintain high customer satisfaction rates. Instead of focusing solely on individual consumer behaviours, we should address society’s promotion of overconsumption. While individual buyers should reduce the amount of clothing they consume, more beneficial steps can be taken than imposing return fees.

Raising awareness about the environmental impact of returns can help to change the casual attitude towards returning items. Society should also work to reduce the stigma around wearing clothing more than once, helping to curb excessive consumption driven by the fear of repeating outfits.

Encouraging shopping in stores can reduce the rate of returns and waste. One of the main reasons consumers return clothing is because it doesn’t fit as expected. Many brands have different sizing standards, making a size M in one store different from a size M in another. Standardising sizes and making items more adjustable can help address this problem. Personalised size charts can also assist consumers in selecting the right size, reducing the likelihood of returns.

By implementing these alternatives, we can promote more sustainable shopping habits and reduce the negative impacts of overconsumption without relying on return fees.