Product returns have been a significant challenge for online retail businesses. Every year about 20-30% of the products sold online face returns. That is not only a loss in revenue but also doubles up the costs for the sellers, not to mention damage to the reputation.
Handling product returns require a robust after-sale process, something which, small e-commerce retailer would find challenging to build. You can, however, work to reduce product returns and after-sale issues.
Addressing avoidable challenges like sizing, multiple purchases, and setting correct expectations are a few things every online retailer should consider. However, after this, you can also have specific consumer promotion campaigns to reduce the chances of returns even further.
The first thing to do before you start investing in consumer sales promotion campaigns is to estimate a budget. That will depend on how much product returns hurt your business overall. This is the maximum amount you should set aside for sales promotion to minimise returns.
How Product Returns Hurt More Than Your Reputation?
Not only do product returns result in lost revenue, but they also harm sellers’ reputations and customer loyalty. However, by implementing effective consumer sales promotion strategies, you can counter product returns and improve customer satisfaction.
The following expenses must be considered by a retailer when a product is returned:
- Labour: There will be labour costs associated with every step of the returns process, such as customer service, accounting reconciliations, shipping, warehousing, restocking, and reselling.
- Reselling: It may be necessary to repair or refurbish returned items before repackaging and reselling them if they are to be resold. The price of doing so may be far more than the selling price.
- Damaged Items: A product may need to be destroyed if it is returned in a damaged or unsaleable state, which means the retailer bears both the cost of the original purchase and the return.
Transportation: Costs associated with receiving returned items from a consumer can be high and may include paying for shipping, packaging, and labelling.
Consumer Promotion Strategies to Counter Returns
Now let us discuss how to counter product returns in e-commerce with consumer sales promotion:
1. Free Gifts with Purchase
Offering gifts with purchase is an effective way to incentivize customers to make a purchase and reduce the likelihood of returns. You can offer free products, samples, or other incentives to customers who make a minimum purchase amount.
2. Bundle Deals
Offering bundle deals is an effective way to increase sales and reduce the likelihood of returns. You can offer discounts on bundled products or services to incentivize customers to make larger purchases. Bundle deals can also help to increase the perceived value of your products or services.
3. Limited-Time Offers
Creating a sense of urgency can encourage customers to make a purchase and reduce the likelihood of returns. Offering limited-time promotions, such as flash sales or daily deals, can create a sense of urgency and motivate customers to make a purchase.
4. Discounts and Coupons
Offering discounts and coupons can incentivize customers to make a purchase and reduce the likelihood of returns. You can offer discounts on specific products or entire orders, and advertise these promotions through various channels, including email, social media, or your website. Coupons can also be offered to new customers as an incentive to try your products or services.
5. Free Shipping
One of the most common reasons for product returns is high shipping costs. By offering free shipping, you can incentivize customers to make a purchase and reduce the likelihood of returns. You can also offer free shipping for a minimum purchase amount to encourage customers to increase their cart value.
6. Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are designed to incentivize customers to make repeat purchases and reduce the likelihood of returns. You can offer exclusive discounts, reward points, or early access to new products or services to customers who join your loyalty program. Loyalty programs can also help to build long-term relationships with customers and improve customer retention.
7. Personalised Promotions
Personalised promotions are tailored to the individual needs and interests of your customers. By using data such as past purchases, browsing behaviour, or demographic information, you can offer promotions that are relevant and personalized to each customer. Personalised promotions can increase customer satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of returns.
8. Referral Programs
Referral programs are an effective way to incentivize existing customers to refer new customers to your business. You can offer incentives such as discounts, credits, or free products to customers who refer others to your business. Referral programs can help to increase customer acquisition and reduce the likelihood of returns.
9. Personalised Customer Support
Providing personalised customer support can help to reduce the likelihood of returns. By offering personalised support, you can address any concerns or issues that customers may have and improve their overall experience with your business. Personalised support can also help to build long-term relationships with customers and improve customer retention.
Run Effective Consumer Promotion Programs
Product returns can be a significant challenge for e-commerce businesses. However, with RewardPort’s effective consumer sales promotion strategies, you can counter product returns and improve customer satisfaction. By offering free shipping, discounts, gifts with purchase, loyalty programs, personalized promotions, limited-time offers, referral programs, bundle deals, and personalized customer support, you can incentivize customers to make a purchase and reduce the likelihood of returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Consumer promotion's role in marketing?
Consumer promotion is a marketing tactic intended to persuade customers to make larger purchases. Consumer sales promotion has two purposes: to increase brand recognition in the marketplace and foster brand loyalty among current customers, which in turn helps to increase sales and conversions.
What do you mean by Consumer promotion?
Consumer promotions are short-term strategies created to fulfil short-term goals. Consumer sales promotion strategies can help you encourage purchases, boost in-store traffic, or just create excitement for your products or brand.
What are five Consumer promotion techniques used to reach customers?
Companies can utilize a variety of sales promotion strategies, such as coupons, rebates, free samples, contests, prizes, loyalty plans, volume discounts, and point-of-purchase displays.