Royal Mail reveals online returns hotspots

New figures from Royal Mail have revealed that it saw a 25% uplift in retail returns traffic in July compared to the same month last year as shoppers sent back unwanted purchases made during lockdown.

The top five areas where the company saw the most returns were St Albans, Watford, Kingston-upon-Thames, Ilford and south west London.

Subscribe to TRB

Many retailers extended their return period during lockdown and some have sealed off their fitting rooms in reopened stores due to Covid-19 concerns.

Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, said: “Having analysed our returns data across our national network of delivery offices, St Albans has emerged as the UK’s returns hotspot. With ecommerce playing an important role in keeping the UK connected during such unprecedented times, online returns form an even more important part of the online shopping experience for both consumers and retailers.”

Research conducted by Royal Mail found that 53% of UK adults felt that receiving parcels became more important during lockdown while 36% said receiving a parcel was the highlight of their day.

RELATED ARTICLES

• ASOS turnaround gathers pace as GMV returns to growth
• AI delivers measurable returns for 87% of UK businesses
• Superdrug returns to Altrincham with new store and beauty studio
• Wickes revenue up 2.3% as retail arm returns to growth in Q2
• What are returns really costing you?
• Dr Martens returns to profit growth as turnaround gathers pace
• Footasylum returns to Silverburn as it ramps up UK expansion

Show more related articles >