Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Online Retailers Averaged 1 Million Returns in December

UPS is expecting a record 1.4 million returns on Jan. 3 after averaging more than 1 million returns every day before Christmas in December.

by Staff
January 2, 2018
Online Retailers Averaged 1 Million Returns in December

Photo: UPS

1 min to read


Photo: UPS

UPS is expecting a record 1.4 million returns on Jan. 3 after averaging more than 1 million returns every day before Christmas in December.

Record breaking Black Friday and Cyber Week e-commerce sales produced a flood of package deliveries for UPS as as well as large numbers of returns. The number of returns is expected to peak on Jan. 3,  National Returns Day, up 8% from the year prior and the fifth consecutive annual record.

Ad Loading...

“While the day after Christmas used to be reserved for long return lines at department stores, the growth of e-commerce has changed when and how consumers return gifts,” said Alan Gershenhorn, chief commercial officer. “A customer-friendly returns program is now an essential part of any successful e-commerce program, and UPS continues to expand its suite of innovative solutions to help shippers. This season, UPS added Returns Manager, a free platform that allows e-commerce merchants to customize return shipments according to their e-tailer policy.”

According to a 2017 UPS online shopping study, 75% of consumers have shipped returns back to the retailer, and as a result, many business have added or expanded return offerings.

“A simple and speedy experience should be part of the retailer’s toolkit to help increase customer loyalty while managing the cost of processing these returns,” said Gershenhorn.

More Operations

Photo of Team Brown building soap box derby
Operationsby Chris BrownJuly 13, 2026

Soap Box Derby Challenge: What’s Powering Team Brown

The car is coming together, the students are solving real build problems, and the fleet industry is helping push Team Brown toward the starting line.

Read More →
Green and black bar graphs showing 2026 versus 2025 fleet sales.
Vehicle Researchby Martin RomjueJuly 8, 2026

Commercial Fleet Sales Contribute To June, YTD Gains

The fleet sector has boosted its vehicle purchases at a reliable pace in the first half of this year compared with 1H 2025.

Read More →
A black square with white color font text
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

What Fleet Managers Really Want From Vendors

From customer service frustrations and technology breakdowns to RFQs, change management, and the growing impact of turnover across the industry, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real operational challenges fleet managers are navigating every day.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black square with white color font text
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

Fleet Safety Masterclass: Industry Leaders on Storytelling, Strategy & Innovation

In this special masterclass episode, industry leaders break down what it really takes to build safer fleets in today’s increasingly distracted and data-driven world.

Read More →
A black square with white color font text
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

Integrating Legacy Fleet Systems and Historical Data

In this episode, we bring together fleet and technology leaders to unpack the realities of data integration, system migrations, and the evolving role of AI in fleet management.

Read More →
A black square with white color font text
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

From Resistance to Results: Change Management Strategies for Fleets

From new technologies and safety programs to evolving regulations, fleets are under constant pressure to adapt. But as Dr. Betz explains, success isn’t about the system you implement—it’s about whether your people actually use it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black square with white color font text
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

Where We're Headed: A Practical Look at AI in Fleet

Discover how AI is actually being deployed in fleets, not just marketed, including practical use cases and emerging risks.

Read More →
A blue and white Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail.
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk

Growing legal exposure can put fleets at risk. Here's one company's approach.

Read More →
fleetio coast pay cost
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Fleet Managers Think They Understand Their Costs. The Data Says Otherwise.

Most fleet managers say they have a strong handle on their costs, but new research from Bobit Business Media tells a different story. A 2026 survey of 190 fleet professionals reveals a widespread "confidence gap" where fragmented systems, disconnected data, and delayed reporting are leaving major blind spots hidden beneath the surface. Find out what the data actually shows.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two people sit across from each other at a desk during a business meeting. One person, wearing a white shirt, has their hands folded while the other gestures with a pen toward documents clipped to a clipboard. Additional paperwork and a calculator are visible on the table, suggesting a discussion involving contracts, finances, or administrative paperwork. Sunlight filters through window blinds in the background, creating a professional office setting.
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-Time Prevention (Part 2 of 2)

Part Two: Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Continue learning more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab

Read More →