Inditex cancels free returns

So far, only online.

Inditex Group joins a fast-growing list of brands introducing an online store return fee. According to the company’s new policy, the fee for returning each item is now €1.95.

The new rules apply to online retailers Zara, Bershka, Stadivarius, Pull & Bear and Oysho. The fee is being introduced for all returns that have been free until now.

Last year, Inditex tested paid returns in the U.K. and several markets before introducing the fee in its home country. Earlier, paid returns were also launched by Asos, H&M and Uniqlo and other fashion giants. Such practice is becoming increasingly widespread worldwide and allows large retailers to earn extra money by selling clothes online.

Experts point out that the fight against returns has been on the agenda of major brands in recent years. In the era of the pandemic, consumers have acquired the habit of increasingly ordering several sizes of identical items to select one of them and send the rest back. This has led to a significant increase in costs for online retailers. The owner of Zara expects that by 2024 online will account for 30% of all sales. Returns of clothing purchased in retail stores are still free.