There’s No Hiding from Holiday Returns and Overstock

The holiday rush doesn’t end at checkout; in fact, it’s just the beginning for retailers and brands bracing for the return and overstock wave that follows peak sales. With post-holiday returns projected to reach roughly $170 billion in merchandise, the ability to efficiently resell what can’t go back on shelves will define who saves the season and who gets buried under idle inventory.

The new reality? Return rates have more than doubled since 2019, and shoppers overwhelmingly plan to buy online this season, driving return rates above 20%. And with over half of Americans expecting price increases to impact their holiday budgets, unsold goods could also be a challenge for every retailer this season.

Why Retailers Need a Strategic B2B Holiday Returns Resale Solution

Relying on manual liquidation methods or a handful of buyers isn’t enough in today’s market. The B2B resale market is projected to grow 15–20% globally in the next five years, with business buyers actively seeking inventory in all categories and conditions. Platforms like B-Stock offer a multi-channel approach that scales to handle post-holiday surges, enabling retailers to move inventory quickly, drive recovery, and maintain control over brand and pricing.

Our annual holiday playbook offers data, exclusive insights, along with best practices for handling post-holiday returns and overstock inventory. Some of the key takeaways from this year’s playbook include:

The top-selling resale categories after the holidays

• Best practices for listing inventory
• How to group lots for higher recovery
• How brands are maintaining strict brand and channel control

Want More Strategies to Stay Ahead This Holiday?

Managing returns and overstock shouldn’t mean losing margin or being bogged down by manual processes. Our holiday playbook reveals the best practices for keeping inventory moving, strengthening customer loyalty, and recouping lost value– plus data and exclusive insights!

Ready for a smoother post-holiday season? Download our full holiday playbook now and discover how leading retailers and brands thrive amid holiday returns and excess inventory.

Download Playbook