"Retailers can leverage the integration to enhance their security against fraudulent activity, while shifting any liability. Our clients can rest easy that they aren't losing potential sales, while they won't be held responsible for chargebacks." -Ian Goldman, President and CEO of Celerant

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Signifyd today announced the 2024 winners of its Most Influential in Ecommerce award, honoring retail professionals who found innovative ways to serve customers while helping their organizations prosper in the face of relentless inflation and the uncertain prospects for the economy as a whole. This group of retail’s leading lights demonstrated uncanny resilience while inspiring teams in an industry that consistently delivers a message that retail isn’t going to get any easier. Besides the constant challenges of increasing customer expectations and rapidly evolving technology, the class of 2024 has powered forward in recent years despite supply chain disruptions, economic turbulence, and fierce competition for shoppers’ online attention and dollars. “Each class of the Most Influential in Ecommerce seems to outdo the last,” Signifyd CEO Raj Ramanand said in announcing the honorees. “Year after year, we’ve seen incredible examples of ecommerce leaders who have adjusted to unexpected disruptions and unforeseen changes in markets and consumer behavior. It’s a privilege to work with such high-caliber leaders as we chart the course of commerce together.”

Commerce protection provider Signifyd today unveils its latest data on European consumer return trends, revealing a crucial consideration for retailers in today’s evolving economic landscape.The research, conducted by OnePoll across Europe in February 2024, highlights a key insight: While inflation may be easing, cost-conscious consumers prioritise retailers offering flexible return policies and payment options. This underscores the importance of going beyond the “buy now” button and focusing on the entire retail life cycle, from delivery to return.With returns globally costing retailers more than $700 billion in 2023 and projected to cost nearly $1 trillion by the end of the decade, retailers need innovative strategies to manage the process effectively. Beyond the rising cost of legitimate returns, any future-focused strategy must account for fraudulent returns. The challenge is growing rapidly, given that the adoption of SCA has made traditional payments fraud more difficult.Key Findings:Return policies drive buying decisions: 76% of European consumers consider return policies fairly or very important when choosing a retailer, with Italy and Spain placing the highest value on this factor (48% and 47% respectively saying “very important”).Ease of return is paramount: 94% of respondents find ease of return crucial, with a majority stating they’d be less likely to shop at a retailer offering only store credit (50%) or charging for return costs (57%).Preferred return methods vary: The top three preferred return methods are courier collection (35%), Post Office drop-off (32%), and in-store returns (26%), with return bars being the least popular (7%). Notably, British and Spanish consumers favour in-store returns the most (both at 34%).Common reasons for return rejection: The most frequent reasons for rejected returns include exceeding the return window (13%), damaged items (12%), and returning products excluded from the policy (9%).The most frequent reasons for rejected returns include exceeding the return window (13%), damaged items (12%), and returning products excluded from the policy (9%). Payment preferences differ geographically: Over half of Italians (55%) and Spaniards (53%) prefer PayPal, while 55% of Britons favour credit cards.The research conducted serves as a warning to European retailers not to rely on customer experience ending with the purchase; instead, they need to account for the full retail life cycle through delivery and possession.Amal Ahmed, Director, Financial Services and EMEA Marketing at Signifyd said, “Our research highlights the complexities retailers face in today’s evolving consumer landscape