A few clicks, the order goes to the post office. No question, shopping with your mobile phone or computer is comfortable. And in fact consumers in Germany shop more and more on the internet. But every sixth package is sent back. In order to reduce waste and climate pollution, a legally required return fee could help. Economic researchers at the University of Bamberg explain this in a study published on Wednesday.
Even a return fee of around three euros could reduce the number of returns by 16 percent, the surveyed online retailers expect. With 490 million returned articles last year, that would be about 80 million returns fewer. That would save the climate almost 40,000 tons of CO2, says study leader Björn Asdecker.
In the end, it could even be cheaper for many customers
In addition, prices could fall because of course the trade calculates the cost of the returns with a. Customers who send less could save money. With a return fee, "e-commerce would be greener and fairer," the Bamberger economists explain in their study.
The surveyed dealers represent 5.5 billion euros in online sales. Only 15 percent of them charge return fees, especially smaller dealers. They reported a minimal decline in sales, but due to lower costs rather positive consequences in profit. Even with the market leader Amazon, there are no free returns for a part of the assortment.
The majority of small traders would like to cancel postage-free returns, but fear disadvantages in the competition. This concern was at a legal minimum fee and thus the same rules for all but much lower, said the economic researchers.
The big players are worried about their competitive advantage
For many large traders free returns are a strategic advantage in the competition. The Federal Association bevh warns: "A legally binding return fee would constitute a state interference in market and competition, which must always be only the last resort in case of market failure." In our opinion, findings from the study are not sufficient to decide this question. "
According to estimates by the Bamberg researchers, a quarter of all returns today could be saved by binding size specifications for all garment manufacturers and working online advice. Ordering items in three sizes and three colors, keeping one, that is common practice today: With clothing and shoes, almost half of the packages go back.
