‘Medieval’ paper receipts cost Brits millions in lost returns
A fifth of UK shoppers have been unable to return something after losing or damaging a paper receipt, according to research from flux.
The digital receipts data platform surveyed 2,000 people.
Shoppers lost an average of £54 each the last time this happened to them, with some claiming they were unable to return items worth up to £1,800.
Further to this, one in ten have missed out on expenses or been unable to claim on a warranty (9%).
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, a third of shoppers now say they don’t want a paper receipt handed to them by a cashier (rising to 43% among 18 to 34 year olds).
Similarly, 43% of 18 to 34 year olds now believe digital receipts give them more consumer protection and four in ten shoppers said they could rely on being able to find them when needed.
A third of 18 to 34 year olds would now choose a store offering digital receipts over one that didn’t.
Matty Cusden-Ross, CEO and Founder at Flux, says: “It’s embarrassing that in 2021 our basic consumer rights can be so severely impacted by reliance on the medieval technology of a paper receipt.”
“We’ve known for a long time that paper receipts are harming the environment, but now the evidence is clear that they’re also harming our protections as consumers.”
Blair Milligan, Head of Systems Development at schuh, says: “Offering digital receipts through Flux allows our customers to easily find receipts in their banking app.”
“This makes for quick and easy returns whilst avoiding unnecessary contact with staff to allow for social distancing and make them feel safe when they return to our stores.”
