Insight ReportSustainability Insights: The Hidden Costs of Retail Returns Coresight Research April 13, 2021 Reasons to ReadRetail returns are looming large in the executive suite at many retailers due to the rapid growth of e-commerce. In this free report, we discuss the costs—financial and environmental—of retail returns. Using Coresight Research’s EnCORE framework for sustainability in retail, we explore how retailers can minimize returns and thus address their impact on the environment while improving profits. With a focus on the US market, we consider the top causes of returns and the growing role of technology in returns reduction, with highlights from 3DLOOK, Newmine and Returnly. This report is sponsored by Newmine, a retail-tech innovator that is disrupting the returns management market. Click here to read more about Coresight Research’s EnCORE framework for sustainability in retail. Click here to read the previous report in our Sustainability Insights series, which discusses how retailers can address their impact on climate change in the supply chain. Click here to view more Coresight Research coverage of sustainability. This report is available for free and can be accessed by registering for a free account. Content What’s the Story? Why It Matters Retail Returns: In Detail How Do Returns Impact the Environment? How Can Retailers Work Toward Sustainability in Returns? Top Causes of Returns High Returns Rates in the Apparel Sector The Growing Role of Technology in Returns Reduction What We Think Implications for Brands/Retailers Implications for Real Estate Firms Please Login to read the full report. Not a member? To access this content for free, register for a free account. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in: Retail Crime and Shrink: Facial Recognition Tech Gains Ground; Shoplifting Climbs 13% in EnglandAnalyst Corner—US Convenience Store Retailing: Battling Headwinds and Seeking New Opportunities, with Sujeet NaikRolling Metric Stabilizes: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 38, 2025—InfographicSector Focus: Beauty Retailing—Data Graphic