UPS: Returns to break record

A whopping 1.9 million is the number of return packages that UPS predicted it would process on Jan. 2, National Returns Day.

The total marked a 26% increase from the year-ago period, and also made for the seventh consecutive record-breaking National Returns Day.  It also illustrates how e-commerce continues transforming shopping patterns, UPS said. Now, consumers make purchases with returns in mind, and, according to the UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study, 73% of online shoppers say the returns experience affects their likelihood to buy from a retailer again.

“For retailers, a seamless returns process is essential to keeping and growing business,” said Kevin Warren, UPS chief marketing officer.

Consumers can take UPS returns to UPS' drop boxes, store locations, Access Point locations or to its fleet of delivery drivers, who can directly receive a return package with a label.