IT Brief UK - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
United Kingdom

Returns Stories

UK Stories

Returns stories

UK shoppers prefer humans to AI for complex retail issues
Digital Transformation

UK shoppers prefer humans to AI for complex retail issues

Trust still trumps speed for refunds and complaints, with 90% of UK shoppers preferring human help on complex retail issues.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Wed, 13th May 2026
Loop launches AI suite to cut retailer returns costs
Software-as-a-Service

Loop launches AI suite to cut retailer returns costs

Retailers could trim refunds, service queries and fraud losses as the new suite uses data from 200 million shoppers to automate post-purchase changes.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 28th Apr 2026
Huboo acquires Sorted to create joined-up logistics platform
Software-as-a-Service

Huboo acquires Sorted to create joined-up logistics platform

The deal gives retailers a single system for fulfilment, shipping and returns, serving more than 400 customers across Europe.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Wed, 22nd Apr 2026
Poor product information fuels returns & lost sales
Customer Experience

Poor product information fuels returns & lost sales

Shoppers are abandoning purchases and sending goods back as missing or inaccurate details undermine confidence, according to new Akeneo research.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Tue, 31st Mar 2026
UK shoppers prize accurate updates over rapid delivery
Customer Experience

UK shoppers prize accurate updates over rapid delivery

UK shoppers value accurate parcel tracking and honest delivery updates far more than rapid shipping promises, a new Locus survey suggests.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Feb 2026
Loop links with Sendcloud to boost EU returns options
Customer Experience

Loop links with Sendcloud to boost EU returns options

Loop integrates Sendcloud into Ship by Loop 2.0, giving Shopify merchants wider UK and EU carrier choice for simpler, label-free returns.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Thu, 5th Feb 2026
E-commerce growth redistributes across Europe in 2026
Customer Experience

E-commerce growth redistributes across Europe in 2026

E-commerce growth is shifting across Europe, with Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordics surging as returns and AI reshape online retail.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 30th Jan 2026
Mid-January urged as true start for UK Q1 forecasts
Data Analytics

Mid-January urged as true start for UK Q1 forecasts

Kaleidoscope.com urges UK firms to treat mid-January as the real start of Q1 planning, warning December forecasts are built on distorted data.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 14th Jan 2026

Global Stories

Returns stories

EU digital withdrawal rule adds pressure on returns
Digital Transformation

EU digital withdrawal rule adds pressure on returns

Retailers selling into the bloc face higher costs and slower refunds as EU rules require a visible digital cancellation option in checkout flows.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
5 eCommerce trends set to define 2026
Digital Transformation

5 eCommerce trends set to define 2026

AI shopping agents, stricter sustainability rules and tougher cross-border compliance are set to reshape online retail by 2026.

By Bobby Joseph • 7 min read • Fri, 10th Apr 2026
DHL opens Erskine Park hub for tech, auto reverse logistics
Marketing Technologies

DHL opens Erskine Park hub for tech, auto reverse logistics

DHL opens a 21,000m² Erskine Park warehouse to boost tech and auto spare parts distribution, returns handling and energy-efficient logistics.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Thu, 19th Mar 2026
ShipStation expands ANZ tools for unified eCommerce
Data Analytics

ShipStation expands ANZ tools for unified eCommerce

ShipStation rolls out expanded fulfilment, inventory and returns tools in Australia and New Zealand to unify eCommerce operations.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Tue, 10th Mar 2026
Retailers face USD $796bn in losses from returns, shrink
Data Analytics

Retailers face USD $796bn in losses from returns, shrink

Retailers risk USD $796bn in losses from returns and shrink in 2025, with omnichannel gaps fuelling preventable fraud and abuse.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Sat, 21st Feb 2026
Chargebacks surge threatens retailers' holiday profits
Data Analytics

Chargebacks surge threatens retailers' holiday profits

Chargebacks surge after record online holiday sales, with USD $181 billion in returns putting retailers' first-quarter profits at risk.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 15th Jan 2026
Klaviyo predicts AI voice shopping & smart returns
Digital Transformation

Klaviyo predicts AI voice shopping & smart returns

Klaviyo forecasts 2026 surge in AI voice shopping, automated returns and connected-device purchases reshaping how consumers buy.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 13th Jan 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Returns stories

Australian shoppers wary of social commerce security
Data Protection

Australian shoppers wary of social commerce security

Most Australian buyers say security fears, late deliveries and poor tracking are undermining social commerce, despite rising use of the channels.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 21st May 2026
Amazon threat pushes Australian retailers to speed up
Digital Transformation

Amazon threat pushes Australian retailers to speed up

Amazon, Temu and Shein are forcing Australian retailers to speed up delivery, fix fulfilment bottlenecks and rethink toughened returns.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 4th Feb 2026