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The faster, the better? The impact of short delivery times on product returns in online retailing

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  • Masuch, Simon
  • Landwehr, Jan R.
  • Flath, Christoph M.
  • Thiesse, Frédéric

Abstract

This study explores the impact of short delivery times on product returns in the context of online retailing. Using a large dataset from a global fashion retailer's U.S. e-commerce platform, we investigate whether fast deliveries characterized by below-average delivery times influence the likelihood of product returns. The analysis employs logistic regression to examine the relationship between delivery times and return rates, and additionally considers product characteristics and customer attributes. Our findings indicate that fast deliveries lead to a significant increase in the likelihood of returns, particularly among new customers. Insufficient post-purchase cognitive dissonance reduction may theoretically motivate this counterintuitive result as also indicated by a preliminary follow-up study reported in the online appendix. These insights challenge the prevalent assumption that the shortening of delivery times unequivocally benefits online retailers and customers, highlighting the need for a balanced management approach to order fulfillment that considers both benefits in terms of customer acquisition and downsides in terms of return costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Masuch, Simon & Landwehr, Jan R. & Flath, Christoph M. & Thiesse, Frédéric, 2024. "The faster, the better? The impact of short delivery times on product returns in online retailing," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 100(3), pages 475-485.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jouret:v:100:y:2024:i:3:p:475-485
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretai.2024.07.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ratchford, Brian & Soysal, Gonca & Zentner, Alejandro & Gauri, Dinesh K., 2022. "Online and offline retailing: What we know and directions for future research," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 98(1), pages 152-177.
    2. Janakiraman, Narayan & Syrdal, Holly A. & Freling, Ryan, 2016. "The Effect of Return Policy Leniency on Consumer Purchase and Return Decisions: A Meta-analytic Review," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 92(2), pages 226-235.
    3. Zhang, Yufei & Voorhees, Clay M. & Lin, Chen & Chiang, Jeongwen & Hult, G.Tomas M. & Calantone, Roger J., 2022. "Information Search and Product Returns Across Mobile and Traditional Online Channels," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 98(2), pages 260-276.
    4. Gregory R. Heim & Kingshuk K. Sinha, 2001. "Operational Drivers of Customer Loyalty in Electronic Retailing: An Empirical Analysis of Electronic Food Retailers," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 3(3), pages 264-271, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vivaldini, Mauro & Vivaldini, Leticia Ribeiro, 2025. "Reflection on faster and faster deliveries: Possible social changes arising from logistical immediacy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).

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