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Convenience is often cited as the top reason why shoppers head online rather than in store. But for retailers, this shift results in a few inconvenient truths.
First, the shift has resulted in plummeting same-store sales in brick-and-mortar locations.
Second, these online transactions all too often become a two-way street. The National Retail Federation says the amount of merchandise returned increased by 52 percent from $171 billion in 2007 to $260 million in 2015.
For finance leaders at large retailers and brands, excess and returned inventory can pose a significant drag on working capital and margin performance. With returns projected to cost U.S. retailers $850 billion annually—roughly 17% of total sales—and processing costs ranging…
San Mateo, CA and Chicago, IL, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New data from both Circana and B-Stock reveals the age of smartphones traded-in reached an all-time high during the 2025 upgrade cycle, with most devices being three generations…