The ride is finally over and shoppers have marched into 2012 with their holiday packages.  Online sales had it's greatest year ever, reaching upwards of a 15% increase.  However, reports are showing many of those packages those same shoppers ordered online, they are not going to keep.

Report from Yahoo News on Tuesday, returns are expected to hit all-time highs beginning January 3.  UPS stated in the report they will handle over 550,000 package returns that day.  They will also be handling returns of the same volume on others days of the first week of the new year as well.   "This will definitely be the busiest year for returns," said UPS marketing director Ken Burkeen.  Retailers will handle millions of returns this first week of the new year.

The return rate, although great, is an indicator of the growth of e-commerce.  Customers have begun to gain more confidence in online shopping and using tech tools such as ipads and smartphones to do it.  Mr. Burkeen also stated overall returns relative to percentage of sales is lower, which is due to companies making their websites more shopper friendly.  Therefore, companies are putting a greater emphasis on selling online.

In spite of the the high returns expected this week, the positive news is that online business is taking a greater role in selling and can be taken as a serious component to grow your business.  With nationwide couriers likeAQuickDelivery, the logistics component of delivering the very products purchased online can be made quickly and cost-effectively.  A company, whether a product delivery or return, know they can compete, even with the largest of companies online.

1/3/12, Yahoo News/Reuters, Phil Wahba and Alistair Barr, Returns of online holiday gifts to hit record