Marketplace Morning Report Rise of the return fee
Dec 26, 2025
Henry Epp is a retail and consumer topics reporter, shedding light on the trend of retailers charging for returns due to the costs associated with online shopping. Reema Crace, host of This Is Uncomfortable, discusses the recent boycott against major retailers and its impact on consumer behavior. She explores the psychological effects of these boycotts, revealing how they create anxiety and moral dilemmas for shoppers trying to align their purchases with their values.
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Free Returns Encourage Bracketing
- Free online returns encouraged 'bracketing' where shoppers buy multiples and return extras.
- Retailers now see those return costs as significant and are changing policies to curb the behavior.
Return In-Store To Avoid Fees
- Return items in-store to avoid return-by-mail fees and reduce retailer costs.
- Nova Safo and David Sobey note in-store returns are usually free and may prompt replacement purchases.
Return Fees Risk Turning Off Shoppers
- Charging return fees risks alienating customers and reducing repeat purchases.
- Retailers balance cost recovery against potential long-term damage to customer relationships.