American shoppers are entering the summer with a heightened sense of caution and complexity around their purchasing—and returning—behavior, according to ReturnPro’s latest consumer survey.
That’s because economic concerns, particularly around tariffs and inflation, are reshaping the consumer mindset.
“Consumers are more strategic, more demanding, and more likely to judge a retailer by the ease of its returns,” the report says. “This report explores these emerging patterns and consumer sentiments across four core areas: economic pressure, return policy influence, behavioral trends in live shopping, and seasonal expectations tied to summer and back-to-school.”
Key takeaways:
· 78% fear price increases on online goods due to tariffs, and nearly 30% have already begun panic purchasing essential categories like household goods, groceries, and back-to-school items.
· Nearly three-quarters say a return policy influences whether they complete a purchase, and more than half feel return policies are getting stricter.
· Over 78% of survey respondents expressed concern that tariffs will raise the cost of products they buy online, and 67% believe those same tariffs will also increase the price of returned items.
· Nearly three-quarters (74%) of participants worry about price hikes this summer, indicating a strained consumer mindset as we enter peak travel, gifting, and seasonal spending months.
· 68% of consumers said that they would consider shopping on secondary marketplaces to avoid paying full price.
· Nearly 30% of respondents have already started stocking up on essential items in anticipation of future price increases or product shortages.
· While grocery was the top “panic purchase” as anticipated, the next three product categories that consumers stocked up on because they feared prices would rise due to tariffs were beauty and personal care (60%), clothing and accessories (47%), and electronics (24%).
· 73% of consumers say that a retailer’s return policy directly influences whether or not they complete a purchase. Additionally, 52% believe retailers are becoming stricter with return terms, including shorter windows, more conditions, or added fees.
“Returns are no longer a back-end concern. They are a central component of the retail experience and a driving force behind consumer decision-making,” the report says. “As we head into summer and back-to-school, economic pressures, combined with shifting expectations around speed and ease, are placing new demands on retailers. Retailers that proactively invest in transparent, customer-friendly return experiences (and that acknowledge the realities of tariffs, inflation, and emerging shopping habits), stand to win loyalty and share in an increasingly volatile environment.”
