An earlier start to online returns—coupled with record-breaking volume of such transactions—will continue to stress already-fractured supply chains this holiday season, according to a new report from CBRE and retail services firm Optoro.
E-commerce returns could hit more than $66 billion this year, a 46% increase over the five-year average. CBRE and Optoro formulated the predictions using National Retail Federation data which estimated that online holiday purchases during the months of November and December will reach $222.3 billion.
Optoro data also indicates that 41% of consumers, spooked by product availability issues and well-documented supply chain delays, will shop earlier this year, elongating the return season. The cost to process returns is also increasing, with high-value electronics like laptops, tablets and cell phones posting the highest reverse logistics costs in terms of total dollar cost per unit, according to Optoro.
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