October marked the official start of holiday shopping for American consumers. According to Adobe Analytics data, US online retail sales reached $88.7 billion in October, an 8.2% year-on-year increase, with mobile transactions accounting for over half ([Adobe Digital Economy Index, 2025]). Amazon's Prime Day in October alone contributed $9.1 billion in sales, with apparel, electronics, and home products being the main driving categories.
However, the other side of this consumer boom is a surge in returns—especially for cross-border e-commerce sellers, who need to prepare efficient and compliant local US return channels in advance.
The peak sales season arrived early, and the return peak arrived simultaneously.
November and December are typically the peak periods for returns, but this year, due to promotions moving to October, the return period also shifted earlier. During the peak shopping season, the return rate often reaches 20%-30%, with apparel and electronics being particularly hard hit.
For cross-border sellers, returns not only mean shipping costs but also involve complex processes such as quality inspection, repackaging, and relisting. Without a local returns warehouse, sellers may face risks such as delayed returns, buyer complaints, and damage to account metrics.
Therefore, establishing a local US returns processing system is not just a bonus, but a crucial factor affecting operational stability and profitability.
Why do cross-border sellers need US returns warehouses even more?
One of the biggest differences between cross-border sellers and domestic sellers is after-sales efficiency. US consumers are accustomed to hassle-free returns and even consider return convenience part of the brand experience. However, if returns need to be shipped across the ocean back to their home country, it is not only costly but can also extend the return period to several weeks, thus affecting platform ratings and repeat purchase rates.
At this time, a reliable US returns warehouse can play a crucial role:
Shortening the return journey: Consumers can send returns directly to the US warehouse, resulting in faster delivery and a better experience; Professional quality inspection and cleaning: Returned goods can be inspected, cleaned, ironed, and repackaged; Resale or centralized transshipment: Qualified goods can be restocked or shipped back to China in bulk, reducing inventory waste.
These services not only save costs but also help sellers maintain good store performance metrics.
U-Speed US returns warehouse: An Efficient Solution for Handling Return Waves
Among numerous cross-border logistics service providers, U-Speed US returns warehouse, with its comprehensive facilities and experienced operations team, has become a powerful assistant for sellers in handling peak season returns.
U-Speed has two major returns centers in the US:
Eastern US (New Jersey) Warehouse: 7,250 square meters, daily processing capacity of over 20,000 items;
Western US (Los Angeles) Warehouse: 7,250 square meters, daily processing capacity of over 10,000 items. Both warehouses are equipped with forklifts, light and heavy-duty shelving, fire monitoring, and a 24-hour CCTV security system to ensure the safety and reliability of every step from receiving to processing returns. The local US operations team and the Chinese management team collaborate seamlessly, with professional customer service providing full support, making the return process more efficient and transparent.
In terms of timeliness, U-Speed's return quality inspection can be completed within 2 days, and the return logistics can be completed in approximately 3-5 days, helping sellers quickly release inventory and reduce capital tied up.
Furthermore, U-Speed not only provides return services but also extends to forward shipping, warehousing, and dropshipping, forming a complete logistics loop and saving sellers the costs of multiple intermediaries.
From returns to restocking, turning after-sales service into a competitive advantage.
The surge in online shopping in the US in October foreshadows even larger orders and returns in the coming months. Cross-border sellers can maintain stable profits during the highly competitive holiday season by leveraging the quality inspection and restocking capabilities of professional return warehouses to resell returned goods. For example, returned apparel items can be restocked after being lint-free, cleaned, ironed, and repackaged at U-Speed warehouses, maximizing inventory value.
Instead of viewing returns as a "loss," consider them as part of the supply chain cycle.
With the accelerated pace of consumption in the US market and AI-driven marketing conversion improvements, sellers with robust after-sales processing systems can truly achieve a "win-win" situation, from sales volume to brand reputation.
The growth in US online shopping in October is just the beginning of the peak season.
Faced with both consumer enthusiasm and a surge in returns, cross-border sellers need an efficient, reliable, and responsive US return warehouse. U-Speed, with its dual warehouse network in the East and West Coasts, comprehensive quality inspection system, and professional service team, provides strong support for sellers during peak return periods, ensuring every return is properly handled and every sale is made worthwhile.
Handling returns well during this holiday shopping season is also a win.
