The Rising Trend of Package Returns and Why St. George Shoppers Should Pay Attention
Online shopping has exploded over the past decade, offering convenience and variety like never before. As that growth continues, the flip side has become impossible to ignore: more purchases mean more returns. In 2024, U.S. retailers estimated that about 16.9% of all merchandise sales would be returned — a number that totals approximately $890 billion.
Why Returns Are So Much Higher Online
The rate of returns for e-commerce is notably higher than in-store purchases. For example, some benchmarking reports place online return rates closer to 20–30%, compared to roughly 8–10% for physical store purchases.
One recent source estimated online return rates around 24.5% for e-commerce, versus about 8.7% for in-store in 2024.
There are a few major drivers behind this trend:
-Shoppers cannot touch, try on, or inspect items as easily when buying online, increasing the chance they will need to return something.
-Free returns policies and “buy-to-try” behavior have become normalized, especially in categories like apparel, footwear, and electronics.
-The share of online sales continues to grow, which means more volume in higher-return-rate channels.
What This Means for St. George Shoppers
If you live in St. George and you order online (which many of us do), you’re very likely part of this trend. That’s why local solutions matter. When returns are increasingly common, the last thing you want is to spend your time driving back and forth, standing in line, or dealing with paperwork.
How Return Run Solves the Problem
Return Run St. George offers a simple, local answer to the growing return headache. Instead of you handling drop-offs or printouts, you can:
1. Schedule a pickup online
2. Upload your return QR code from the retailer
3. Leave your package in a safe spot
4. We pick it up and drop it at the correct return location
With return rates going up, the convenience of a service like Return Run becomes a clear advantage — especially when time, gas, and effort are scarce.
Final Thoughts
As online return rates continue to climb, local-friendly services are no longer a luxury—they’re a smart choice. Return Run St. George gives you the peace of mind that your returns are handled, so you can focus on what matters instead of the errand.