This new option certainly attracts consumer interest, but it also brings new problems.

The huge volume of returns is due to no other reason than that the product does not fit or meet one’s expectations, it is a burden on the environment due to constant transportation, and the company also suffers financially because it offers free returns.

In response to this challenge, one of the world’s largest clothing manufacturers, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz), has now decided to charge £1.99, which is equivalent to around NOK 22, for product returns, unless of course the product is defective or misdelivered.

This decision was reported by the Mirror. However, H&M has exempted H&M members from this fee, so they can still return items for free, even if there is nothing wrong with the product.

An H&M spokesperson confirmed the changes to the BBC and said they were introduced this summer.

More costs on the way?

H&M’s initiative raises the question of whether other companies will also follow this example. Online store Boozt.com decided earlier this year to block 42,000 customers who returned items without error.

Retail expert Jonathan De Mello told the BBC: “It’s interesting that companies seem to be doing this in a more thoughtful way, but it’s a sensible decision. It makes economic sense because it discourages customers from buying large quantities online and then returning most of these items. have become significant problems for the business world.”

Some companies such as Next have increased return prices from £2 to £2.50 last year, while Boohoo customers pay £1.99 to return online orders.

It is not yet known whether H&M’s fees will also apply in Norway.