Rising Cost-of-Living Pressures Make Return Policies Crucial for Retail Success, Reveals Manhattan Associates Study

SYDNEY, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As cost-of-living pressures mount and the post-End of Financial Year (EOFY) period settles in, the Australian retail landscape is being reshaped by a critical factor: return policies. New research from Manhattan Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: MANH) reveals that Australian consumers are increasingly cautious with their purchases and more likely to return items, making flexible and customer-friendly return options essential. The study showed that 72% of respondents are now more inclined to return products due to financial pressures, underscoring a shift towards more discerning purchasing behaviour.

"Australian consumers are more selective than ever," said Raghav Sibal, Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand for Manhattan Associates. "With tighter budgets and the financial reassessment following the EOFY, they are less inclined to keep items that do not meet their expectations, making a retailer's return policy a critical factor in their purchasing decisions."

Consumers Consider Return Policies When Purchasing

The research found that a store's return policy significantly influences consumer purchasing decisions. Over 69% of respondents indicated that a store's return policy influences their decision to purchase.

Additionally, 40% of respondents will actively research a store's return policy before making a purchase. While many consumers have become conditioned to expect free returns, there has been a notable shift in how they view and interact with return policies, reflecting an unspoken awareness and acceptance of changing policies.

In-Person Returns Brings New Opportunities

With physical store foot traffic impacted by cost-of-living increases, rethinking return policies presents new opportunities for brick-and-mortar stores. A notable 65% of consumers report higher satisfaction with in-store returns, suggesting that encouraging in-person returns can boost customer satisfaction and drive additional sales.

Charging for online returns could incentivise customers to visit physical stores, potentially increasing in-store sales. Furthermore, the rise of 'click and collect' services, preferred by 36% of consumers, enhances the shopping experience by merging online convenience with in-store interactions and sales opportunities.

"The surge in retail returns offers businesses a unique opportunity to differentiate themselves by optimising their returns management processes," explained Sibal. "With the right technology, businesses can drive shoppers back to the store, deliver impactful customer experiences, and offer enhanced transparency throughout the entire returns process. Taking advantage of this opportunity, by offering seamless experiences across channels, enables brands to set themselves apart from competitors and build a competitive edge."

Building Customer Loyalty Through Positive Return Experiences

A positive return experience is pivotal for customer loyalty, with 91% of respondents indicating it makes them more likely to become long-term customers.

"Returns are becoming increasingly frequent in today's omnichannel retail landscape. Customers are leveraging the convenience of purchasing from anywhere at any time, which leaves many retailers facing the challenges of managing returns effectively. Implementing robust returns management technology is crucial for two key reasons: returns can significantly impact retail operations' costs, but these costs can be mitigated by encouraging in-store returns, where there's a chance to salvage some portion of the sale. The returns process itself can be a decisive factor in retaining customers and fostering long-term loyalty," Sibal concluded.

For more information about Manhattan Associates, visit https://www.manh.com/en-au. Receive up-to-date product, customer and partner news directly from Manhattan Associates on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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Methodology:

Manhattan Associates surveyed 500 Australian consumers in Q2 2024.

ABOUT MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES

Manhattan Associates is a global technology leader in supply chain and omnichannel commerce. We unite information across the enterprise, converging front-end sales with back-end supply chain execution. Our software, platform technology and unmatched experience help drive both top-line growth and bottom-line profitability for our customers.

Manhattan Associates designs, builds, and delivers leading edge cloud and on-premises solutions so that across the store, through your network or from your fulfilment centre, you are ready to reap the rewards of the omnichannel marketplace. For more information, please visit www.manh.com