Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
Clothing retailers typically offer options for product returns, and fit is the reason the policies matter so much: a consumer may try an item on in the store and discover at home that the shoe or garment does not fit as well as it seemed to, or receive apparel as a gift and find the size, fabrication or color wrong. A return brings new clothing back to the store for a refund; an exchange swaps the merchandise for another item of equal value, such as the same t-shirt in a larger size. Policies vary store by store — receipts, time limits such as 30 days, restocking fees, store credit instead of cash, or no returns at all.
Like many retail categories, clothing retailers typically offer options in regards to allowing product returns. It is important for clothes and footwear stores to have such policies because garment fit is very important. Often a consumer will try an item on at the store, but after returning home they discover that the shoe or clothes did not fit as well as they originally thought. When this occurs, the consumer typically would like to return or exchange their purchase.
Often times apparel is bought as a gift for other people. When the recipient recieves the gift, they may discover that the garment size, fabrication, or color is not per their liking. In this case, they may wish to return the item for a more appropriate size, style, or color.
What is the difference between an exchange and a return?
Exchange - the consumer gives the store back merchandise in exchange for another item of equal value. For example, if I bought a red t-shirt in size medium but realize that I have eaten too much and now fit into a size large. I take the medium back to the store and they will exchange it for a size large (note: I should NOT do this with used shirts. Only exchange a new shirt for a new shirt in a different size)
Return - when a consumer brings new clothing back to the store for a refund.
Before purchasing clothes, footwear, or accessories it is a good idea to learn about the stores return, refund and exchange policy.
Most retailers strive for a quick, easy, and positive return experience because they understand that they should keep customer service in mind at all times. They most certainly need to keep the customers thoughts as a high prioritiy while writing a return policy.
Each store will have their own guidelines in the event a purchase must be returned or exchanged. It is important to understand the policy "prior" to making a purchase.
Fortunately for consumers, apparel retailers are competing for their business. Most stores will do their best to maintain similar policies to one another. For example, if John's boutique takes returns and Mary's boutique down the road does not, it is likely that John may benefit with a higher volume of sales. However, he also may be saddled with additional expenses that are caused by the return process.
What do clothing stores do with the merchandise that is returned?
This would depend on the reason for the return. If the product is still first quality, they may return the garment to the shelf or rack to be sold again. If the item has been worn or it was returned due to some sort of damage or manufacturer defect, it may destroyed or sold off as closeout. This can be done with the assistance of a apparel industry Jobber.
If you would like to learn more about textile and clothing jobbers, you can read the jobber term for more information.
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Because policies differ, they compete. If one boutique takes returns and the boutique down the road does not, the first may win a higher volume of sales — shoppers buy more freely when a mistake can be undone — but it also carries the expenses the return process creates: handling, inspection, re-ticketing and the markdowns on goods that cannot return to full price. Most retailers therefore aim for a quick, easy and positive return experience while keeping the costs in view, and most end up with policies similar to their competitors'. The gift trade makes the policy unavoidable for apparel in particular: a large share of clothing is bought for someone else, whose size, taste in fabrication and color cannot be tried on in advance.
For the industry, the returned garment's path is a small supply chain in reverse — the subject the reverse logistics and return authorization terms cover from the business side. The consumer side of the same transaction is this page's subject: know the policy before purchase, keep the item new, and understand that refund, exchange and store credit are three different promises.
An exchange swaps merchandise for another item of equal value — a medium t-shirt taken back and replaced with a large. A return brings new clothing back to the store for a refund. Only new items should be exchanged or returned; a used shirt is not swapped for a new one.
The store's return, refund and exchange policy. Stores differ on whether a receipt is required, whether there is a time limit, whether refunds are complete or carry a restocking fee, whether the refund comes as money or in-store credit, and some stores offer no return, exchange or refund options at all.
It depends on the reason for the return. First-quality product may go back on the shelf or rack to be sold again. Items that have been worn, damaged or returned for a manufacturer defect may be destroyed or sold off as closeout, which can be done with the help of an apparel industry jobber.