14/10/2026
Have you ever wondered how much each return actually costs your business?
Your warehouse receives three returns of the same product. One is unopened, one has a torn box, and one is missing an accessory.
Each needs a different amount of work before it can go back on sale. Someone has to check the product, replace the packaging or record what’s missing. Some returns also need a decision from the merchant. Until that comes, the product sits on a shelf.
In EHI’s latest survey of 108 online retailers in the DACH region, more than a quarter could not identify their processing costs per returned item.
Our previous post looked at how complicated returns can discourage customers from buying across borders. This time, we look at what happens after the parcel arrives back at the warehouse, and where the costs add up.
With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, our latest blog explores the costs worth tracking and the questions to settle with your fulfilment partner before the seasonal wave of returns.
We explore this topic in more detail in our latest blog article: E-commerce Returns: Same Product, Different Processing Costs, available in English, German, French and Polish. You’ll find the links in the comments (on Facebook, or visit our website - Blog)