How to Reduce Returns for Your Fashion Store
If you run a fashion store, online or in-store, you will agree that managing returns can be a nightmarish experience. They eat into your profits, disrupt inventory, and create unnecessary logistical challenges. While allowing customers to return unwanted purchases can improve their shopping experience, a high return rate is bad for your business.
Instead of just managing returns, your real goal should be to reduce them altogether. By implementing smart strategies, you can minimize returns, improve customer satisfaction, and boost your bottom line.
In this post, we will go over some clever strategies to help you put excess returns in check and grow your business.
10 Strategies to Minimize Returns
1. Write Better Product Descriptions
One of the main reasons customers return items is because the product didn’t meet their expectations. This means that writing better, well-detailed descriptions can help minimize returns for future customers.
How can you achieve this?
Use detailed product descriptions that include fabric type, fit, stretch level, and washing instructions.
Highlight whether an item runs true to size, smaller, or larger.
Provide accurate sizing charts with specific measurements, not just generic small/medium/large labels.
Mention key details like zippers, buttons, or lining that could affect purchasing decisions.
2. Put a Cap On Allowable Return
To ensure customers with nefarious motives don’t abuse your return policy, consider putting a cap on what customers can return. For example, you can offer returns on orders above $200. Alternatively, you can offer returns on only certain products.
As an added step, charge customers a shipping fee for returning an item. Doing so not only discourages phony customers from playing games but also forces the genuine ones to rethink the return.
3. Make Your Return Process a Rigorous One
You can easily become a victim of return fraud if your return policy is very easy and can be easily poked. On top of that, you will easily attract wardrobing customers (customers who wear and return products, often lying about using them) if your return policy is a walkover.
What to do?
Ask them to provide images of the product with proof it is current
Make it clear they can only return products if it’s damaged – not just because they changed their minds. It will put customer expectations in check.
Offer partial or full refund based on the size of their orders – the bigger the size, the more likely they will get a full refund.
Let them know that shipping and handling cost is entirely their responsibility
Besides these 4 strategies, there are several other clever tactics you can try, so get creative!
4. Invest in High-Quality Product Photography
A picture is worth a thousand words—and in eCommerce, it’s often the deciding factor in a sale. Low-quality or misleading images increase the likelihood of returns.
Use high-resolution images that capture product details clearly.
Show items from multiple angles and in natural lighting.
Include close-up shots of fabric textures and embellishments.
Ensure true-to-life colors to avoid surprises upon delivery.
Consider adding video clips or 360-degree views to help customers visualize the product better.
5. Encourage Customer Reviews and Feedback
Real customer reviews can be more powerful than any product description.
Encourage detailed reviews that include fit, comfort, and durability insights.
Allow customers to upload photos of themselves wearing the product.
Feature a “True to Size?” poll to help future buyers choose the right fit.
Use customer feedback to update product descriptions and refine sizing charts.
6. Improve Quality Control and Manufacturing Standards
Nothing frustrates a customer more than receiving an item that doesn’t match the advertised quality. To avoid this:
Work with trusted manufacturers to ensure consistency in sizing and fabric quality.
Conduct strict quality control checks before shipping items.
Address common complaints like loose threads, weak stitching, or poor fabric choices.
7. Optimize Packaging to Prevent Damage
Some returns happen simply because items arrive damaged.
Use durable, eco-friendly packaging to protect items during shipping.
Add care instructions inside the package so customers handle items correctly.
Clearly label fragile or delicate items.
8. Provide Better Customer Support
Often, customers return items because they aren’t sure about their purchase beforehand. Proactive customer support can reduce this uncertainty.
Offer live chat or chatbot assistance to help customers pick the right size.
Provide a pre-purchase consultation service for high-end or customized items.
Send a post-purchase follow-up email with styling tips to reassure buyers about their purchase.
As an added step, be proactive about handling online negative reviews from disgruntled customers. Don’t get defensive or choose denial – just share your side of the story and drop an apology if you can. Doing so will put your business in a good light for other customers, and win you customer loyalty.
9. Monitor Return Data and Identify Patterns
Tracking return reasons can help your store make better inventory and marketing decisions.
Analyze return reasons (size, fit, quality, color, etc.).
Adjust future inventory based on what gets returned the most.
Use insights to refine product descriptions, manufacturing, and customer experience.
10. Leverage ERP Systems Like Uphance
Handling returns is a harrowing experience – don’t make it any harder by using manual systems like spreadsheets. Rather, leverage ERP systems like Uphance.
Uphance is a cloud-based apparel ERP system that allows you to effortlessly handle returns. It enables you to keep accurate track of returned items, issue monetary or store credit as refunds to customers, manage checked-in inventory, and many more.
Wish to take Uphance for a spin? Schedule a trial right away!
Conclusion
Reducing returns isn’t about making it harder for customers to send items back—it’s about making sure they love their purchase from the start by ensuring your product quality meets their expectations. By focusing on accurate product details, high-quality images, better sizing tools, and proactive customer support, fashion retailers can significantly cut down on return rates while improving customer satisfaction.
Take these steps today and watch your returns drop while customer loyalty grows!
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