PrettyLittleThing, a prominent online fashion retailer, has made a significant change in its return policy.
- As of June 3, PrettyLittleThing charges a £1.99 fee for UK returns, aligning with other industry players.
- Customers can pay the fee directly or have it deducted from their refund if using alternate couriers like Evri, Royal Mail, or Inpost.
- This decision mirrors strategies adopted by retailers like Zara, Boohoo, and New Look to manage return logistics.
- The change addresses the broader issue of return costs in the fashion industry, highlighting policies like Oh Polly’s tailored return fees.
As of June 3, PrettyLittleThing, an online fashion retailer under the Boohoo Group, has initiated a new returns policy, imposing a fee of £1.99 for returns within the UK. This move is part of a broader trend among retailers to mitigate the operational costs associated with returns. Customers will have the option to pay this fee directly or have it deducted from their refund when utilizing alternative courier services such as Evri, Royal Mail, and Inpost.
This policy change aligns PrettyLittleThing with fellow retailers Zara, Boohoo, and New Look, who have all introduced similar return fees over the past couple of years. Zara was the pioneer, implementing a £1.95 postal return charge in May 2022, followed by Boohoo with a £1.99 fee in July 2022, and New Look, which established its return charge in February 2023. The alignment with these competitors reflects a strategic move to standardize return processes within the retail sector.
Moreover, this adjustment is indicative of a larger industry-wide initiative to address the challenges posed by frequent returns, which can significantly impact profitability. Another retailer, Oh Polly, has introduced a nuanced approach by calculating return costs based on customer return rates, with fees potentially reaching £8.99 for returning an entire order. This signals a shift in how retailers are managing return policies, aiming to balance customer satisfaction with financial sustainability.
By implementing return fees, PrettyLittleThing joins a growing list of retailers seeking to streamline return processes and reduce associated costs.
