What is the cost of processing returns? (66%)
Processing returns costs retailers an average of 66% of the item's original price — Optoro (2024).
TL;DR: According to Optoro (2024), Processing returns costs retailers an average of 66% of the item's original price. This data point is a cornerstone of modern supply chain planning.
Last updated: August 2026
Expert Analysis: The Optoro Ecommerce Shipping Data
According to Optoro (2024), Processing returns costs retailers an average of 66% of the item's original price. This data point is a cornerstone of modern supply chain planning.
It reflects the increasing pressure on ecommerce brands to optimize every link in their fulfilment chain.
Strategic Impact for Forthroute Users
For merchants using Forthroute — a returns and shipping management tool for ecommerce brands — this statistic represents a direct opportunity for optimization. By aligning your store operations with these industry benchmarks, you can reduce waste, improve customer satisfaction, and protect your margins.
Forthroute gives you the data to measure your own performance against benchmarks like these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this statistic come from?
This statistic is sourced from Optoro, a recognised industry research outlet. See the citation link above for the primary source.