With peak shopping season underway, new research from DHL eCommerce UK uncovers consumer attitudes to returning or sending on unwanted gifts. The survey, among 2,000 UK consumers, found that more than half have received unwanted presents, totalling £83.40 per person on average each year. The most commonly received unwanted gifts include clothing and novelty items, as well as unwanted household gadgets and white goods.
Rather than wasting unwanted gifts, the research revealed that more than a third of cost-conscious consumers regift them, while 18% sell unwanted presents on. Meanwhile, returns remain a popular option with 11% admitting to returning unwanted gifts to stores, 7% returning online and 7% returning them to the sender.
Not wanting to miss the retailer returns window, almost a quarter of consumers think it is acceptable to return items within five days of receiving them, while 7% have asked the sender for a receipt to get the full value of returns. Meanwhile, returns peaked amongst 25-34 year olds with almost one in six returning in-store and one in ten returning online.
Gemma Marshall, service point development manager, DHL eCommerce UK, says: “Many of us have had that feeling of disappointment when you open a gift on Christmas morning and it is just not what you were expecting. As peak shopping season gets underway, we will inevitably see many consumers wanting to recoup the value of unwanted items by either returning or passing them on.”
“To help deliver consumer satisfaction during this key shopping season, retailers and logistics carriers can support by offering as much flexibility as possible – from extended returns windows to flexible returns and delivery options, such as the use of home or locker collections.”
The research went on to find that mums are among the worst gift givers, preceded only by friends and colleagues. Amongst the worst gifts ever received were a bath plug, de-icer and an empty box.
