INDIANAPOLIS, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of
its ongoing sustainability efforts, and in recognition of Earth
Day, Simon encourages shoppers and retailers to reduce carbon
emissions related to online returns. By returning purchases to the
store rather than by common courier or by the US mail, carbon
emissions can be reduced by up to 40 percent.
Online returns are a growing problem in retail, with studies
showing online returns doubled in 2020 to $102 billion with apparel returns as high as 40
percent of items ordered online.
"Where you shop matters," said Aharon Kestenbaum, Head of Sustainability, Simon.
"And where you return also matters. Online returns are a growing
problem that adversely and materially impacts the environment.
Returning online purchases to the store offers consumers and
retailers the opportunity to lessen that impact."
Stores are the most sustainably friendly option for processing
returns and offer retailers a clear economic advantage: higher
save-the-sale/cross-sell rates and lower return shipping costs.
Only seven percent of retailers proactively promote and
encourage shoppers to return online purchases to stores despite
these environmental and financial benefits and even though shoppers
prefer the speed and convenience of making a return in person and
the peace of mind of receiving an immediate refund.
For more information on Simon's sustainability initiatives and
studies, click here.
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SOURCE Simon