.png)
Last update:
As Black Friday wraps up, e-commerce sellers face another major challenge: product returns.
According to the National Retail Federation, total retail returns in the U.S. are projected to reach $849.9 billion in 2025. For online sales alone, an estimated 19.3% of orders will be returned, and 82% of shoppers say free returns influence their purchasing decisions.
This means a well-designed return policy is no longer optional. It’s a critical part of the customer experience, and a powerful opportunity to turn one-time buyers into long-term, loyal customers.
Free returns are important, but they’re not the only thing shoppers care about. When it comes to returns, customers consistently prioritize speed, convenience, and simplicity.
According to the 2025 Retail Returns Landscape, here are the top return factors customers value most, three of which are directly tied to shipping:
Let’s take a closer look at how to make the return process easier for both sellers and customers.
Returns may feel like a headache, but with the right approach, they can be managed efficiently and even turned into a competitive advantage.
A clear return policy plays a key role in reducing confusion and making the return process smoother for customers. Your return policy should clearly outline important details, including:
Place your return policy in visible areas of your website, such as the footer and during checkout, so customers can easily find it whenever they need.
Convenience matters. Many shoppers prefer return options that don’t require printing a label at home. By offering both print-at-home and no-label return options, you give customers the flexibility they want. With ShipSaving, sellers can generate QR code return labels for USPS and FedEx, and barcode return labels for UPS, making no-label returns easier for customers who don’t have access to a printer.
This allows customers to drop off their return without worrying about finding a printer, reducing friction and improving the overall return experience.
Drop-off location availability plays a major role in return satisfaction. Customers prefer return locations that are close to their home or workplace, with operating hours that fit their daily schedules.
Choosing the right carrier makes returns significantly easier for your customers. For example, UPS offers access to over 5,000 The UPS Store® locations across the U.S., with many locations open on Sundays. This gives customers the flexibility to return packages even if they work standard weekday hours.
Refund speed matters, and transparency builds trust throughout the return process. Providing automated, real-time tracking updates helps customers clearly understand where their return is at each stage. This visibility not only increases customer satisfaction but also significantly reduces “Where Is My Order” (WISMO) inquiries, lightening the workload for your customer support team.
With ShipSaving, brands can automatically send tracking email notifications. This proactive communication keeps customers informed without requiring them to follow up, creating a smoother return experience while speeding up refund expectations.
If products are frequently returned because they don’t match what customers expected, your product descriptions or visuals may need improvement.
In many cases, color differences are caused by lighting or screen variations, making the product look different in real life.
To reduce these types of returns, consider taking photos in multiple lighting conditions and using videos to show the product from different angles. Clear, detailed descriptions help set accurate expectations and lower return rates.
Some returns happen because products arrive defective or damaged. When this occurs frequently, packaging and shipping are usually part of the problem.
Review your packing materials and handling process, and consider working with more reliable last-mile carriers that have a stronger track record for safe delivery.
ShipSaving works with leading carriers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, DHL Express, as well as regional carriers like GOFO and SwiftX, to support more dependable last-mile delivery. By shipping with ShipSaving, sellers can not only improve delivery reliability, but also save up to 90% on shipping costs.
Sizing issues are one of the most common reasons customers return products, especially for clothes. To minimize sizing-related returns, provide clear and accurate size charts with both inches and centimeters.
Encourage customers to leave reviews that include height, weight, and the size they ordered, and offer fit indicators such as “runs small,” “true to size,” or “runs large.” This additional context helps shoppers make more confident purchasing decisions.
Returns are inevitable in e-commerce, but they don’t have to be a loss. When handled well, a smooth return experience can actually strengthen customer trust. By using a shipping platform like ShipSaving, sellers can offer no-label returns with USPS, UPS, and FedEx, while also saving up to 90% on shipping costs.
Ready to simplify returns in 2026 and beyond? Sign up with ShipSaving today, and turn returns into loyal customers.
Written on: