This scary movement is fuelled by TikTok trends and Gen Z shoppers.
Over half (51%) say social platforms like TikTok and Instagram are encouraging them to return more, while two-thirds (66%) believe social media has made shoppers more likely to reject anything less than perfect.
Another 64% say the fast-fashion mindset has crept into homeware, a clear sign that the buy-try-return mentality has gone supersized.
With bulky returns costing UK brands a fortune, that’s bad news for online retailers.
The Rise of Returnitures
In the last two years, nearly a quarter of shoppers (23%) have returned large furniture items, including sofas, beds and dining tables, after buying them online.
That’s almost the same level of returns that we see for small fixtures and fittings like light switches, handles, or taps (26%). For retailers, that means thousands of heavy, costly items traveling in both directions.
Almost one in five (18%) have even returned a full bathroom or kitchen suite!
With more Gen Z consumers now entering the housing market, the Returniture trend is only gaining momentum. Among these younger shoppers, returns rise from 23% to almost a third (31%) for large furniture, while just over one in five (21%) have also sent back an entire kitchen or bathroom suite bought online.
For this generation, the “buy-try-return” mentality is fast becoming second nature, no matter the size.
Scroll, Shop, Send back
Social media is accelerating this trend!
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are shortening the cycles of style and expectation, with consumers tuning in to an endless stream of new looks and ideas for their homes.
66 %
of shoppers say social media has made people more likely to reject anything less than perfect
58 %
believe influencers are fueling the “buy, try, return” culture
45 %
of shoppers feel pressured to keep their home “up to date” with trends they see online
59 %
of Gen Z believe buying with the expectation of returning is now “normal”
%20GIFs/Fixtuur%20Furniture%20360%20Spin%202%20%5BFA%5D.gif?width=596&height=508&name=Fixtuur%20Furniture%20360%20Spin%202%20%5BFA%5D.gif)
360 Product Views
Interactive 3D visuals that replace flat photos with lifelike product views.
-
47% say 360° 3D product views let them buy with more confidence.
-
37% are more likely to recommend retailers that offer 3D previews.
-
25% say these features would help them return fewer items.
Augmented Reality
Try-before-you-buy AR lets shoppers preview purchases in their homes.
-
44% say AR would make them more confident about size and placement.
-
33% say AR would make them more willing to try new styles or products.
-
26% say AR would encourage them to choose one retailer over another.
3D Room Planners
Design and visualise complete rooms in 3D before making a purchase.
-
41% say 3D room planners would help them buy with more confidence.
-
33% say these tools make them more willing to try new combinations.
-
30% say they’d shop again with a retailer offering these design tools.
Win, Win, Win.
When retailers help their shoppers to get it right the first time, everyone benefits.
Customers enjoy a smoother, more accurate buying experience.
Retailers gain loyalty, repeat purchases and stronger margins.
The technology that prevents returns also powers satisfaction, trust and long-term growth.
Win, Win, Win.
When retailers help their shoppers to get it right the first time, everyone benefits.
Customers enjoy a smoother, more accurate buying experience.
Retailers gain loyalty, repeat purchases and stronger margins.
The technology that prevents returns also powers satisfaction, trust and long-term growth.
82 %
would buy again from retailers that deliver exactly what they expected
80 %
are more loyal to online retailers that get orders right first time
71 %
will recommend a retailer that helps them avoid returns
Fight Returniture.
With fixtuur
Returniture has changed how people shop. Now it’s time to change how you sell.
Every return costs you margin... but every confident purchase builds loyalty and repeat purchases.
With Fixtuur, you can fight back against the wave of returns, boost profits and increase shopper satisfaction.
