E-retailing giant Amazon's (AMZN) -) decision in early 2023 to start charging its customers for returns is a good indication of how much money companies have bled out by offering free returns.
And other retailers are following suit.
H&M (HNNMY) -), the fast-fashion retailer that's been a staple in malls since the 2000s, has said that it will now charge a fee of £1.99 ($2.47 U.S.) to process any merchandise returns done in-store or online.
Related: Like Amazon's Easy Returns? You Won't Like Its New Policy if You Have a Certain Address
While the fee is only a couple of dollars -- Amazon charges $1 to return an item via UPS if an Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods or Kohl’s is located within a specific distance -- it's still a cost customers are not accustomed to paying.
Amazon softened the blow by saying it would always offer a free option for returns should customers choose to use it.
Fashion retailers such as Dillard's, JCPenney, Urban Outfitters, Zara, and Uniqlo also charge for returns, with Dillard's charging the highest fee at $9.95.
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H&M also recently announced another unusual change: offering second-hand clothing for sale in its Regent Street flagship store, beginning on Oct. 5.
In a statement, H&M told TheStreet that it was not currently offering this option in its U.S. stores.
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