Americans are returning unwanted Christmas gifts Thursday as the post-holiday rush gets underway, sending shoppers back to stores and retailers into weeks of exchanges and refunds nationwide.
The surge typically begins the day after Christmas, with clothing, shoes, and electronics leading the list of returned items.
Retail analysts say returns now account for a significant share of annual sales, driven by online shopping, generous holiday return windows, and size or style mismatches. Many retailers extend return deadlines into January to manage the volume and ease in-store congestion.
Industry data shows returns spike sharply starting Dec. 26 and remain elevated for several weeks, creating added pressure on customer service desks and distribution centers. Retailers often resell returned items at a discount or route them to secondary markets, adding to post-holiday logistics costs.
Consumers are being urged to check individual store policies, as return deadlines and refund methods can vary by retailer and by how items were purchased.
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