The data: Retailers’ return policies send a strong signal to consumers. Some 59% of shoppers check a retailer’s return policy before buying, rising to 67% among high spenders, per a Loop Returns report.

More strikingly, 58% of shoppers have abandoned a purchase or walked away from a brand entirely because of its return policy.

Those findings dovetail with other research:

• 68% of US adults consider return policies when choosing where to shop, per a December 2025 FedEx and Morning Consult survey.
• Some 57% of consumers say a poor returns experience would make them less likely to buy from a brand again, regardless of prior loyalty, per Ada.

Why it matters: Returns are expensive. Retailers expected 15.8% of annual sales to be returned in 2025, representing about $849.9 billion, according to the National Retail Federation and Happy Returns. We expect US returns to reach $876.69 billion this year.