"The Surprising Afterlife of Returned Holiday Gifts at Warehouse Auctions"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
Post-holiday, retailers are auctioning off returned items at significant discounts, often 80% off, as they manage the influx of returns that won't go back on sale. The reverse logistics industry, valued at $939 billion in 2022, is booming due to e-commerce returns, with a projected annual growth rate of 12% through 2032. Companies like Liquidity Services are central in this process, reselling returned goods to businesses and consumers, while also contributing to the circular economy by keeping items out of landfills. Consumers, like Stacey Adam, are taking advantage of these auctions to buy in bulk and resell at a profit, benefiting from the discounted prices.