For retailers, the holiday rush doesn’t end when the last package ships. As shopping peaks, so do returns — and with them, refund requests. In fact, many merchants see up to 30% of online orders come back during the post-holiday window. That surge puts enormous strain on customer service teams and payments operations just when consumer expectations are highest.
Today’s shoppers expect more than just an easy return label. They want speed, transparency, and control over their refund experience. Waiting five to ten business days for money to reappear in a bank account feels outdated in a world where nearly every other part of commerce is instant. A delayed refund can erode trust and loyalty, especially when customers are juggling holiday expenses or switching between payment methods like digital wallets and prepaid cards.
Forward-thinking retailers are responding by modernizing their payments infrastructure to issue instant refunds — getting money back into customers’ hands in seconds instead of days. Not only does this improve satisfaction and repeat purchases, but it also reduces support costs and boosts overall brand perception.
As peak shopping season approaches, the question for merchants isn’t whether returns will rise — it’s whether their refund process can keep up. The brands that prioritize fast, seamless refunds will win the most valuable prize of all: lasting customer loyalty.
Yours truly,
The Instant Refund Expert®
The Refunds Blog 