Post-Holiday Returns and Shopping

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The Holiday shopping season may be over for some people, but for others, it still continues. This is especially true for those who tend to return unwanted gifts or are looking for even more bargains. It’s no surprise that stores are still crowded, even after Christmas.

I am guilty of returning a gift here and there. Normally, I may exchange it for a different size or color. But, I feel like each present was bought by someone who spent time and energy looking for something just for me — and that’s very special. Unless, it was a re-gifted item… then I obviously feel less attachment to it.

By looking at the amount of returns made after the holidays, you can tell that not everyone feels the same way as I do. Buyers flock to the stores to get store credit and buy the things they didn’t get. Stores, of course, love this since it makes people come back to the stores to shop some more. Some stores even have “Return Centers” set up to handle all these transactions without slowing down the rest of the stores’ registers. According to retail analyst and chairman of America’s Research Group, Britt Beemer, “If people return something, there’s a 70% chance they will buy something else.” And usually, people tend to buy more expensive things since they have the store credit to help pay for it.

So, it’s no surprise to see that returns are expected to hit record numbers. According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers will return $46.28 billion in holiday merchandise this season. This number could be a result of record-breaking sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Some people took advantage of the discounts, bought several items before deciding on their final choice and returning the rest. Also, because online stores are now offering free return shipping, it is easier (and cheaper) to return unwanted purchases. Others are simply returning items and re-purchasing them at an even deeper discount (note: some stores will not allow this, so make sure you check the store’s return policy.)

Not only are there people returning gifts, but buyers are also looking for deep discounts. Some stores may have up to 90% off on holiday merchandise and up to 80% off other items.

If you have the patience to go shopping right after Christmas, here are some tips:

Tips For Post-Holiday Shopping

• Know the return policies of the stores you plan to visit. This applies to both the gifts you want to return, but also for clearance items. A lot of times, sales are final and can’t be returned.
• If you decide to get store credit or a gift card for your returns, make sure you know the rules. Some gift cards may expire or charge you every month that it is unused.
• Have a plan. If you enjoy being in crowded stores and have fun doing it, that’s great. Go for it! But for those that dread it, it helps when you have a plan of what to look for. With a Post-Christmas Shopping plan, you may be able to get holiday items that you can use the next year. Or, you could also get gifts that you know you’ll need throughout the year (e.g. birthdays, weddings, baby showers…even gifts for next holiday season!)
  

Whether you decide to venture out to the cold, cold world of holiday (or post-holiday) shopping or spend your time at home eating and watching movies, we hope that you and your family enjoy the season and an even better 2012!

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