While the British summer (i.e. those few weeks back in June) has left half the nation plotting last minute getaways and praying for an increase in global warming, autumn fans everywhere are merrily bringing out the knitwear and halloween themed everything, proving there really is no pleasing everyone.
This issue feels like a slightly more random collection of interesting things than usual. According to my socials the Blue Moon is to blame for this interruption to our broadcasting schedule, and everything else.
The cost of free returns
As the retail industry tried to shore up its sustainable credentials, concern is rising around the impact of shopping online, and in particular of what happens to returned items. The New Yorker reports on how our ingrained culture of free returns results in useable products being burnt or sent to landfill largely due to the cost of processing an item before it’s ready to be resold. Businesses like Zara and Boohoo now deduct a small fee for online returns, and many clothing companies now have a special tag that makes it clear an item can’t be returned after it’s been removed, but there’s plenty of examples of lax returns policies out there.
“Home Depot and Lowe’s let you return dead plants, for a year. You just have to be shameless enough to stand in line with the thing you killed.”
I’m old enough to have worked in an M&S store before their returns policy was tightened and have a vivid memory of a man unashamedly returning a broken vase, claiming this was the condition he bought it in (unboxed). He got his refund too.
Sneaky socials
Ever found yourself in need of a quick browse through social media but worried about who’s lurking over your shoulder? Reddit fans have a solution, an Outlook style version of the site which allows you to browse the site while making it look like you’re busy with emails. Genius or a productivity killer, depending on your perspective.
Party in a Google Doc
Thanks to Formats Unpacked for dropping this into the end of a recent issue. A glorious reminder of all the strange and wonderful ways we tried to replicate community in the midst of lockdown. Confirming that the real party is always in the kitchen.
And finally…
Did you know you can snoop on what your ads your competitors are running online, for free? Find out what formats are working, how much they’re spending and get inspiration for your own campaigns. Get the full details on Practical Ecommerce.
