WETHERSFIELD, CT (WFSB) – If you have to return one of the gifts you received this year, you are not alone.

The National Retail Federation predicts that 17% of all sales in the last year will be returned.

Some retailers are even changing their policies to combat returns becoming more common.

Colleen Kenton had a bag full of gifts that just didn’t work out.

“My son’s said we already have these, and I’m like well I did not notice that,” she said.

The National Retail Federation reported that the annual return rate has more than doubled since 2019.

Adam Whelchel said that he bought his wife’s Christmas present knowing he’d have to make a trip back to UPS.

“I’m returning a ski coat that just didn’t fit. We were a little over ambitious and bought two sizes just to make sure we had the right one,” he said.

One thing that people do to try and get the right gift is called bracketing. It’s when you buy the same item in multiple sizes with the plan to return the one that doesn’t fit.

The federation found in a survey that 73% of stores have seen an increase in bracketing over the last 12 months, leading to an increase in restocking fees and shipping costs.

It’s in part the reason why 66% of stores have started charging for returns in the last year.

However, the same study found that 76% of shoppers say free returns are an important consideration when buying something online.

“Since coming out of COVID, you know, there were times when it was tough to kind of shop in stores, so kind of got in the habit of ordering two sizes to make sure,” said Whelchel.

As for Kenton, she’s considering gifts that cannot be returned.

“Maybe next year I’m heading more towards money or an experience of some sort, like a trip, and then I’ll be done,” she said.

A tip when returning items is to not wait too long, as some return windows for retailers only last a week or two after Christmas.

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