With the 2025 Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping season approaching, cross-border sellers are once again facing their most critical sales period of the year. According to Adobe Analytics, Black Friday online sales in the United States reached $9.8 billion in 2024, a 7.5% year-on-year increase, setting a new record high. Cyber Monday sales exceeded $12.3 billion, making it the largest single-day shopping event of the year. This trend demonstrates that despite continued uncertainty in the global economic environment, American consumers remain enthusiastic about shopping.

For cross-border e-commerce sellers, this represents the most important opportunity of the year to boost sales. However, the accompanying surge in returns cannot be ignored. Seizing sales opportunities during this promotional period while responsibly addressing the challenges of returns will be crucial for maintaining stable year-end performance.

What should sellers be aware of before the Black Friday peak season?

During the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping period, there are several distinct characteristics of shopping habits in the US market: First, consumers' desire to buy is strong, but this also leads to a higher return rate. Data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicates that the return rate for online purchases in the US will be approximately 17.6% in 2023, significantly higher than that of offline channels. Second, returns are most prominent in categories like apparel, footwear, and electronics, especially for items that are the wrong size or don't meet expectations. These items are often returned more frequently.

Therefore, before the peak season arrives, cross-border sellers should not only prepare for product selection, advertising, and inventory stocking, but also develop a comprehensive return handling plan. Delays in the return process not only increase warehousing and logistics costs, but can also impact account performance and even lead to customer churn.

The return wave is a challenge sellers must face.

After the Black Friday sales, consumer returns often surge within two to three weeks. For sellers, this means facing a surge in returns within a short period of time. For example, data from US e-commerce platforms shows that the return rate for apparel during the holiday season can reach as high as 25%-30%. For cross-border sellers, shipping returns directly to China is not only costly but also faces issues like slow processing times and complex customs clearance.

As a result, more and more sellers are relying on overseas return warehouses to conduct quality inspection, re-listing, or centralized processing of returned goods. This has become a crucial component in ensuring the stability of cross-border operations. 

U-Speed US return warehouse: A Secure Return Solution for Sellers

To help sellers manage the surge in returns during Black Friday and online shopping festivals, U-Speed has established two return warehouses in the US:

The US East Coast (New Jersey) Return Warehouse: 7,250 square meters in size, capable of processing over 20,000 returns daily.

The US West Coast (Los Angeles) Return Warehouse: also 7,250 square meters in size, can handle over 10,000 returns daily.

Both warehouses are equipped with comprehensive hardware and software facilities, including light and heavy-duty racking, forklifts, fire protection and surveillance systems, and 24/7 security and CCTV coverage, ensuring that every returned item is handled safely and properly.

Efficient and Professional Return Processing

U-Speed US return warehouses provide more than just storage space; they also prioritize efficient return quality inspection and logistics capabilities:

Fast return quality inspection: Upon receipt of a return, quality inspection can be completed within two days, ensuring sellers are immediately informed of the status of their product.

Efficient return logistics: Restocking or transshipment can be completed within 3-5 days, reducing inventory and financial pressure.

Professional team support: A local Chinese operations team in the US collaborates with a Chinese management team, supported by professional customer service, ensuring stability and customer satisfaction at every stage.

One-stop service from returns to forwarding logistics

Notably, U-Speed not only excels in returns but also offers a full-service chain covering front-end transportation, warehousing, and drop shipping. For sellers, this means everything from stocking to sales and returns processing can be handled through U-Speed, eliminating the complexities of connecting with multiple suppliers and significantly improving operational efficiency.

Seize sales opportunities while also ensuring stable after-sales service.

Black Friday Cyber Monday 2025 is poised to break records again, bringing a surge in traffic and orders. However, underlying this, returns processing also determines whether sellers can truly achieve profit growth.

With its extensive warehousing network spanning the East and West Coasts of the US, efficient quality inspection and delivery timelines, and comprehensive cross-border logistics capabilities, U-Speed's US return warehouse helps sellers confidently boost sales during major sales events while responsibly managing returns. For cross-border e-commerce sellers, this not only ensures an enhanced user experience but also provides a key boost to year-end performance.