A NEW study has revealed the most frequently returned Christmas presents, with clothing topping the ranking.
Experts at the casino comparison website InstantCasinos (https://instantcasinos.net) examined data from Statista to determine the digital purchases with the highest percentage of returns within the past 12 months.
The study reveals that clothing is the most frequently returned household item of 2024, with 24 per cent of consumers admitting to returning this item within the past 12 months. Clothing items are frequently returned by online consumers due to not fitting correctly or looking different in-person than on the company’s website.
Shoes are the second most frequently returned category, with 16 per cent of consumers returning this item within the past 12 months. As with clothes, shopping for shoes online can be challenging as sizing differs between stores, resulting in such a high percentage of returns.
The accessories and food and beverages categories both tie for third place, with 12 per cent of consumers returning these items within the past 12 months. The accessories category accounts for items including handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, and hats, showcasing the connection between fashion companies and impulsive purchases online.
In the digital age, it’s become increasingly popular to order takeaways and grocery deliveries online. However, there is a rising connection between social media and takeaway overconsumption, as seen through viral mukbang videos.
This has resulted in a rising number of people returning unwanted food items that were ordered impulsively or purely for social media content. Purchasing groceries online also comes with the risk of expired or damaged items being delivered, which are frequently returned.
The consumer electronics category takes the fourth spot, with 10 per cent of consumers returning these items within the past 12 months. This category includes items such as smartphones and TVs. Electronics are often the most eagerly anticipated items in Black Friday sales, as they can offer significant discounts. However, excessive discounts can also heighten the opportunities for impulsive purchases, resulting in such a high return rate.
Books, movies, music, and games are named the fifth most frequently returned category, alongside the cosmetics and body care category. The survey found that nine per cent of consumers have admitted to returning items that fall under these categories within the past 12 months.
Books, movies, music, and games are often returned for failing to meet expectations. However, a rising number of people are facing criticism for choosing to return books after reading them – a trend that is being panned as unsustainable and unethical for authors and publishing companies who are losing out on money as a result.
Similarly, social media trends have also impacted the cosmetic and body care category. With a growing number of influencers being paid to promote these items, there is a rapid trend of overconsumption forming within the beauty industry, resulting in a high percentage of returns.
Kenneth Moore, the Editor-in-Chief of InstantCasinos, said: “Over the past few years, it has become apparent that serial returners are an issue for both businesses and the environment, with many digital returns ending up in landfills.
“While the rate of digital purchases being returned has rapidly decreased since the pandemic, it’s evident that overconsumption is an issue that needs to be rapidly addressed, particularly before big sale events like the upcoming Boxing Day sales.
“Christmas sales often enable the unsustainable rate at which items are being returned, ultimately causing businesses to lose out on money due to the cost of delivery, packaging, and cleaning returned items.
“While a rising number of companies are employing measures to cut back on frequent returners, it’s evident that social media is a major factor contributing to the issue.
“This Christmas, it’s important to consider whether unwanted gifts could be repurposed in order to prevent unnecessary returns.”
