How AI Could Help Fashion E-Tailers Reduce Retail Returns

Between discarded packaging, shipping fees, inventory shortages and damaged merchandise, returns cost retailers a fortune. In 2017, retail returns cost roughly $350 billion, and they were projected to rise to $550 million in 2020. While some returns are inevitable (with reasons ranging from defective products to late deliveries), others are entirely avoidable. In fact, 46% of shoppers surveyed in Narvar's 2019 The State of Online Returns report said their No. 1 reason for returning products was incorrect size, fit or color. Only 3% intentionally bought multiple items knowing they'd return some.