As the holiday shopping rush hits its stride, retailers brace for the inevitable surge in returns. While peak season drives record-breaking sales, it also brings record-breaking returns — often reaching up to 30% of total purchases in some categories. Behind every return lies a critical customer experience moment: how quickly and easily shoppers get their money back.
Today’s U.S. consumers are no longer satisfied waiting days or weeks for refunds to process. They expect the same speed and convenience in returns as they do in checkout and delivery. In fact, recent surveys show that refund experience has become a key factor in brand loyalty — with customers more likely to abandon a retailer after a single poor return interaction.
Retailers who offer an instant refund not only win trust but also drive repeat purchases. By shortening refund times from days to seconds, merchants turn what was once a point of friction into a loyalty-building advantage. In a competitive retail landscape where every customer counts, improving the refund experience isn’t just good service — it’s smart business.
Peak season may mean peak returns, but for forward-thinking merchants, it’s also peak opportunity.
Yours truly,
The Instant Refund Expert®
The Refunds Blog 