Returns

Asos is under scrutiny for banning customers deemed to be overusing its free returns service, sparking debate about the viability of online fashion’s long-standing business model. While the retailer defends its decision as necessary to maintain service standards, critics argue it exposes deeper flaws in the digital shopping experience and its environmental and financial sustainability.

The 2024 Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry report says returns represent a significant cost to retailers in the United States and there is an urgent need for retailers to adapt and evolve their strategies.

A study on post-consumer policies in the athleticwear sector has revealed that eco-conscious consumers are not well-served by clothing companies claiming green credentials, and environmental circular economy initiatives for activewear enterprises are limited by where firms and consumers are located, preventing them from being fully effective.

Returns are the bane of any retailer and a new study suggests a scalable illustrative machine-learning model that could help reduce returns and improve profit by more than 8 per cent.

The Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) of the British Fashion Council (BFC) has launched a new report on the environmental impact of returns in the fashion industry, with a suggested framework of recommendations.