Have you ever been lumbered with an unwanted piece of clothing that just sits at the back of the wardrobe complete with its tags on because you missed the returns deadline? Of course you have. It is a familiar story.
The current sales deadline in nearly every shop on the high-street is that consumers must return their items in-tact within a 28-day time limit to qualify for a refund.
This hardly seems fair when the clothing is in tip-top condition and has never been worn...probably because it is one size too small for you, which is your reason for returning it in the first place.
Now consumers can rejoice as high-street store John Lewis has become the first major retailer to completely scrap the 28-day returns policy.
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John Lewis customers will now be able return unwanted goods at any time as long as they have a receipt for proof of purchase and the items are unworn and in perfect condition. The new policy will also apply to items bought before this year.
This may come as a relief to many who received unwanted gifts over the Christmas period and could not get to the shops in time to return their items.
Will other retailers on the high-street follow suit? The only other store to offer a ‘never ending refund’ is Lakeland, which sells house-hold items.
Even amongst gloomy shopping reports, department store, John Lewis is faring better than most and this new policy is sure to stimulate sales further.
It is a clever tactic to give customers the confidence to shop again.
Andrew Murphy, the Retail Director at John Lewis, believes the policy will inspire confidence in customers who are more cautious with their money during times of austerity.
“We are not doing it so people can clear out their wardrobes,” he said. “We are doing it to underline to people in economically difficult times that there is one shop where you can buy from where you will not end up regretting it.”
The current sales deadline in nearly every shop on the high-street is that consumers must return their items in-tact within a 28-day time limit to qualify for a refund.
This hardly seems fair when the clothing is in tip-top condition and has never been worn...probably because it is one size too small for you, which is your reason for returning it in the first place.
Now consumers can rejoice as high-street store John Lewis has become the first major retailer to completely scrap the 28-day returns policy.
READ OTHER TOP STORIES IN THE WDM CONTENT NETWORK:
Does Marks and Spencer need a makeover?
Mobile Shopping: Hottest trend of the decade
Homeshop18 launches its next generation e-commerce portal
Americans didn't stop splurging after the holidays
John Lewis customers will now be able return unwanted goods at any time as long as they have a receipt for proof of purchase and the items are unworn and in perfect condition. The new policy will also apply to items bought before this year.
This may come as a relief to many who received unwanted gifts over the Christmas period and could not get to the shops in time to return their items.
Will other retailers on the high-street follow suit? The only other store to offer a ‘never ending refund’ is Lakeland, which sells house-hold items.
Even amongst gloomy shopping reports, department store, John Lewis is faring better than most and this new policy is sure to stimulate sales further.
It is a clever tactic to give customers the confidence to shop again.
Andrew Murphy, the Retail Director at John Lewis, believes the policy will inspire confidence in customers who are more cautious with their money during times of austerity.
“We are not doing it so people can clear out their wardrobes,” he said. “We are doing it to underline to people in economically difficult times that there is one shop where you can buy from where you will not end up regretting it.”
