More people will be finding a gift receipt tucked in with their presents this holiday season, according to the latest National Retail Federation (NRF) Survey.
The fourth annual Returns survey, conducted for NRF by BIGresearch, found that 56.9 percent of holiday gift givers enclose either a gift receipt or an original receipt with a gift most or some of the time, up from 49.0 percent in 2005.
"It has become common practice for store employees to automatically ask shoppers if they would like a gift receipt with their purchase," said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin.
"Gift receipts not only simplify the return process for the consumer, but they also allow the retailer to verify that the merchandise was purchased in their store.”
According to the survey, slightly more than one in three consumers (37.6 percent) will return at least some portion of their gifts this holiday season.
And when it comes to retailers' policies, consumers understand that they have been implemented for specific reasons, with 88.2 percent of consumers polled stating that they find stores' return policies to be fair.
“Retailers are constantly doing their best to make sure that the return process is as streamlined as possible,” said Mullin. "While they are working to maximize the shopping experience for their customers, they are also working hard to minimize the possibility of potential fraud."
Don't delay! Consumers should plan to make returns as soon as possible after the holidays to take advantage of extended hours and extra help, and to get the best selection of merchandise for an alternate gift.
Remember, the week after Christmas is one of the busiest weeks of the retail year. With people's frustration high and tolerance low, be patient when returning merchandise.
National Retail Federation
marketing@alchempro.com
