You’ve got killer products. Your audience is global, and you’re proud of your sustainable, ethical production methods. But let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of your e-commerce business: returns. They're not just an operational headache — they can cost you big time, both financially and in terms of customer trust.
Learn about our subscription-free, fully customisable returns platform
Whether you're shipping clothing, jewellery, shoes, or high-end designer apparel, every package that comes back impacts your bottom line. Let’s dive into why fashion returns are such a problem and, more importantly, what you can do to turn them into an opportunity.
Fashion & Footwear returns: The hidden cost of doing business
Did you know fashion and footwear have one of the highest return rates in e-commerce? In the UK alone, around 30% of online fashion items are returned each year — most often because the size or fit doesn’t match expectations. That’s a lot of money slipping through your fingers.
Top reasons for returns in fashion e-commerce:
✔ Wrong size or poor fit
✔ Product appearance doesn’t match photos or expectations
✔ Bracketing (ordering multiple sizes and returning most)
#The big problems with returns
Returns are more than just a costly inconvenience — they can disrupt your logistics, slow your collection process, and damage customer trust. Here’s why:
1. International returns are logistically complex
The further your address is from your customer, the trickier it becomes. International returns can involve steep shipping costs, customs headaches, and potential damage or loss in transit. Without a clear system in place, you risk losing not just packages, but potential repeat buyers.
2. The financial and operational costs
Unsellable, late, or counterfeit returns? Those hurt. Not only are you losing revenue on items that can’t be resold, but you’re also spending on inspection, restocking, and handling. The longer it takes to get an item back on the shelf, the more it eats into your bottom line.
3. Customer experience can be compromised
A poor returns experience is a fast track to lost loyalty. In today’s competitive markets, like the US and EU, customers expect smooth, often free returns. If they don’t get that, they could shop elsewhere.
#How to shift the outcome
Let’s face it: Returns are inevitable. But they don’t have to crush your margins. The secret? Reduce returns and make the process smarter.
1. Reduce returns from the start
There are a ton of ways to minimise returns before they happen. For starters, consider integrating tools that help your customers get the right fit. Fit recommendation solutions, like Fit Finder, TrueFit or Virtusize and more detailed sizing charts can drastically reduce the risk of returns of clothing, shoes and accessories. Localising these charts for international customers will help, too.
Even small tweaks like high-quality product images or user-generated content (UGC) can make a huge difference. People trust real-life photos and videos more than studio shots. Detailing the model’s height and build, as well as which size they are wearing, will help provide clarity and reduce the chances of disappointments.
2. Streamline Your Returns Process
When returns happen, make it easy. A smooth, easy-to-navigate process will make customers feel valued. If they know they can return an item quickly without any hassle, they’re more likely to buy from you again.
Consider a smart returns platform like SAMOS Returns, which automates the process and allows customers to initiate returns themselves. Better yet, it’s free to use, with some of the cheapest delivery rates in the industry — making it ideal for niche and growing fashion e-commerce retailers.
Learn about our subscription-free, fully customisable returns platform
#Final thoughts
Fashion e-commerce is fast-paced and constantly changing, but if there’s one thing that stays the same, it’s the importance of customer trust. Returns might be unavoidable, but they don’t have to be the end of the story.
The best fashion retailers do more than just manage returns — they use them as an opportunity to build loyalty. Here’s how:
• Prevention is key: Invest in better content, fit tools, and customer education to reduce returns in the first place.
• View returns as a retention tool: A great returns experience can turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
With the right strategies in place, returns can be manageable, and your brand can continue to thrive — without sacrificing customer trust or your profit margins.
Ready to take control of your fashion returns? Learn how SAMOS Returns can help streamline your process and reduce costs.
Book a no obligation consultation to discuss your return shipping requirements today.
