The High Cost of Post Christmas Returns for Retailers

Christmas might be over, but for retailers the hard part is only just beginning.

Hi, I'm Clare Bailey, founder of Retail Champion.

In this episode of Retail Reckoning, I’m talking about the real cost of post-Christmas returns and why January can feel like a hangover no one warned you about. From gift receipts and goodwill returns to consumer rights and reverse logistics, I break down what shoppers are entitled to, where retailers often get caught out, and why poorly handled returns can quietly damage your brand.

We look at why the “Great Christmas Returns Rush” has become a new festive tradition, how sales and price drops fuel cynical returns, and what retailers can do to protect margins without turning the returns desk into a battleground.

Whether you’re a retailer bracing yourself for January or a consumer trying to work out what you’re actually entitled to, this episode will help you understand the rules, the realities, and the emotional toll of the post-Christmas remix.

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