According to Adobe's latest "2025 Holiday Shopping Forecast Report," US online retail sales are expected to reach $253.4 billion from November 1st to December 31st this year, a year-on-year increase of 5.3%. This will mark the fourth consecutive year of growth during the US holiday season, with mobile sales expected to account for 56.1% of the total, an 8.5% year-on-year increase, a record high.
Even more noteworthy is the emergence of AI-powered shopping. Adobe data shows that over a third of US consumers will use AI tools for product selection, price comparisons, and personalized shopping recommendations during the holiday season, with AI-related traffic projected to surge by 520%. Categories such as toys, apparel, and home decor are key areas for AI recommendations.
However, this sales growth is accompanied by a surge in returns. The holiday season is typically the peak period for returns of the year. For cross-border sellers, handling overseas returns, reducing losses, and improving turnover rates are crucial factors affecting profits.
The "return challenge" behind the holiday season
Amidst the consumer boom, return rates are often overlooked. According to data from the National Retail Federation, the average return rate for US e-commerce is approximately 16.5%, and during the holiday shopping season, the return rate can reach as high as 20%.
This is particularly true for categories like toys, electronics, and apparel, where consumers frequently return items due to reasons such as size, color, packaging defects, or holiday gift returns. For cross-border sellers, returns not only mean excess inventory but can also lead to high logistics costs and delays.
For example, shipping and customs fees for returns from the US to China often exceed the value of the goods, forcing many sellers to abandon or discount their products. The lack of local return warehouse support means sellers struggle to keep track of returns, hindering secondary sales and inventory planning.
Therefore, establishing an efficient "localized return system" is crucial for cross-border sellers to maintain stable operations during the more competitive holiday season of 2025.
The Importance of Local Return Warehouses in the US
Traditionally, the return of returned goods to China can take weeks, resulting in high storage and transportation costs. Sellers with local return warehouses can complete return receipt, quality inspection, repackaging, and even restocking within a few days, significantly accelerating capital recovery.
US local return warehouses can also perform diverse functions, such as:
Return receipt and centralized management: Centrally receive returns from multiple platforms to reduce processing confusion;
Quality inspection and repackaging: Ensure product status is under control;
Restocking and clearance sales: Reduce waste and improve inventory utilization;
Return repatriation and destruction: Flexible response to varying product value and timeframes.
These services not only alleviate sellers' backend pressure but also effectively enhance the consumer experience and strengthen brand reputation.
U-Speed US return warehouse: Efficient, Professional, and Full-Service Services
Facing the peak returns season, U-Speed leverages its years of cross-border reverse logistics experience to provide cross-border sellers with professional US return processing solutions. Whether it's FBA, FBM orders, or direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment, U-Speed provides efficient handling and intelligent management.
1. Dual-Warehouse Layout, Nationwide Coverage
U-Speed operates large return warehouses in both New Jersey and Los Angeles.
The East Coast warehouse, covering 7,250 square meters, handles over 20,000 items daily.
The West Coast warehouse, also covering 7,250 square meters, handles up to 10,000 items daily.
Both warehouses are equipped with advanced racking systems, forklifts, fire monitoring, and CCTV security to ensure the safety and control of returned merchandise. The dual warehouse integration enables U-Speed to flexibly dispatch returns based on customer supply and sales regions, improving overall processing efficiency.
2. Professional Team and Transparent System
U-Speed's US return service is backed by a dual team of Chinese management and US operations. Local Chinese employees are familiar with platform rules and operating procedures, and the Chinese customer service team provides full support, ensuring smooth communication across time zones.
U-Speed utilizes an intelligent returns management system, allowing sellers to view the progress of each stage of the return process, including receipt, quality inspection, and re-listing, in real time. Return status is transparent and traceable.
3. Efficient Quality Inspection and Closed Logistics
U-Speed's average processing time for return quality inspection is only two days. For domestic returns, the logistics cycle is approximately three to five days.
U-Speed also provides forward logistics services such as first-leg transportation, warehousing, and drop shipping, forming a complete closed loop from "shipping - sales - returns - re-shipping," helping sellers truly achieve cost reduction and efficiency gains.
Holiday Season Sellers' "Reverse Strategies"
This year's US holiday season is highly competitive, with an earlier start and a longer turnaround time. While investing in advertising budgets and optimizing product selection, cross-border sellers should also plan their returns strategy in advance.
A local returns warehouse that can quickly process returns and ensure product turnover often determines profit margins. For Chinese sellers looking to expand into the US market, U-Speed's returns system is undoubtedly a robust and cost-effective option.
It not only helps sellers address the urgent need for returns during peak season, but also, through its comprehensive system and high-standard operational procedures, builds greater brand trust in overseas markets.
With US holiday e-commerce sales reaching record highs, cross-border sellers are experiencing new growth opportunities. However, the efficiency and experience of returns processing have become key factors influencing profits and reputation.
U-Speed's US return warehouse, with its dual warehouse layout, professional quality inspection, and intelligent system support, provides sellers with a one-stop reverse logistics solution, making returns no longer a burden but a path to greater operational efficiency.
