UK fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing introduces a return charge to customers.
- Starting 3 June, a fee of £1.99 will be applicable for online returns.
- The charge aligns PrettyLittleThing with similar policies by major retailers like Zara and Boohoo.
- Alternative courier options are available, affecting the refund method for customers.
- The move reflects broader industry trends addressing return-related costs.
As of 3 June, online fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing has instituted a £1.99 charge for returns. This fee will be deducted from the customer’s refund or paid directly if using alternative couriers such as Evri, Royal Mail, and Inpost. This policy change brings PrettyLittleThing in line with other major retailers who have already introduced similar charges.
Zara began charging £1.95 for postal returns in May 2022, setting a precedent for other retailers. Boohoo, which owns PrettyLittleThing, followed suit with a £1.99 fee in July 2022, and New Look implemented a similar charge in February 2023. This trend among retailers suggests a growing effort to mitigate the costs associated with processing returns.
Online retailer Oh Polly has also changed its return policy, targeting ‘repeat refunders’ by adjusting return charges based on return rates, potentially reaching as high as £8.99 for an entire order. Such policies indicate a shift in the industry’s approach to managing customer returns and associated costs.
The introduction of return charges by PrettyLittleThing aligns with an industry-wide move to address the financial impact of online returns.
