Zara Will Now Charge You For Returning Online Purchases

To the horror of Zara shoppers across the country, the high street fashion retailer is now charging online customers to return purchases.

It's never the news customers want to hear, but the Inditex brand will be charging online shoppers a £1.95 fee when they return items via third-party drop-off points across the country.

This fee will be automatically deducted from the refund sum.

Speaking to This Is Money, the retailer said that orders returned to one of its 68 UK stores will not have the new fee added, but all others will.

Customers can continue to return or exchange items for free in store as per the company's returns policy, but returning online orders will now come at a cost.

As it currently stands, free returns are largely the norm for a number of leading fast fashion brands in the UK, including the likes of ASOS, Pretty Little Thing, Missguided, Urban Outfitters and countless others.

But in recent years, retail industry experts have warned that the 'free returns' landscape could soon come to a resounding halt, despite the fact that research has shown 78% of customers are more likely to buy online if free returns are offered.

Zara seems to have followed in the footsteps of Next, which charges a £2 returns fee, and it is believed a slew of other retailers could be set to follow suit.

According to an article published in The Times earlier this year, free returns costs UK retailers £7 billion.

Given the current economic climate - which sees inflation levels at their highest since March 1992 - it is estimated that this may soon become a necessary move for brands as they contend with rising lаbour costs, soаring energy prices and more. Zara's UK website now states that from 3rd May 2022, all returns of orders placed online will have £1.95 deducted from the refunded amount. A spokesperson did, however, point out that this only applies to those who are returning via third-party drop-off services.

They explained: "Customers can return online purchases at any Zara store in the UK free of charge, which is what most customers do. The £1.95 fee only applies to the return of products at third party drop off points." But customers are nonetheless unimpressed. One tweeter recently listed the returns fee as a reason not to shop with the brand, writing: "there’s just nothing that draws me to buy from zara despite their clothes being cute like horrific and inconsistent sizing, high prices for not great quality, ridiculous lines in store, having to pay for online returns ??? why would you bother tbh".

Another added: "Wow! It's a shame to see Zara do this. Customers shouldn't be penalized for online returns. It really adds to a negative experience. There's definitely better ways to handle returns!"

However some consider the move 'inevitable'. One user said: "Zara following Next and Uniqlo in charging for online returns - and more retailers will likely follow suit. Inevitable really given the cost of processing online returns - not to mention the environmental impact. Good for stores too, as returns will still be free in-store."

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