Online retailers across Germany, Austria and Switzerland are seeing encouraging signs in their management of product returns, with the share of retailers experiencing very high return rates declining in 2026.
According to data from summer 2026, up to 66.7% of retailers in the DACH region reported item-related return rates of 10% or less. At the other end of the spectrum, the proportion of retailers reporting return rates above 20% declined to 23.6%, compared with 25% in 2025.
While the reduction may appear modest, it highlights the continued importance of improving the end-to-end eCommerce journey — from product information and order management to fulfilment and post-purchase service.
Returns remain a major eCommerce challenge
High return rates can have a significant impact on retailer profitability. Beyond the direct cost of reverse logistics, returned products can create additional handling, inspection, restocking and inventory-management costs.
For retailers operating across multiple European marketplaces, the challenge can become even more complex as different marketplaces, carriers and fulfilment networks introduce additional operational requirements.
“Reducing returns is not simply about processing fewer parcels back to the warehouse. It is about improving the entire customer and operational journey that leads to the return,” said Sudeep Singh CEO of DMSMatrix. “Accurate listings, better inventory visibility, efficient fulfilment and effective post-purchase management can all contribute to a more sustainable cross-border eCommerce operation.”
Cross-border sellers face additional complexity
The DACH region remains an important market for international eCommerce sellers. As brands expand across European marketplaces, managing orders, inventory, shipping and returns consistently across multiple channels becomes increasingly important.
Technology platforms that bring these processes together can help sellers gain greater visibility over their marketplace operations while reducing operational friction.
DMSMatrix supports sellers expanding across international marketplaces with services covering marketplace listings, seller onboarding, account management, inventory, shipping, analytics and other essential eCommerce operations.
The latest return-rate figures suggest that retailers are continuing to make progress, but the 23.6% of retailers still experiencing return rates above 20% demonstrates that returns remain a significant issue for a substantial part of the market.
For brands pursuing cross-border growth, improving the post-purchase experience will therefore remain an important part of building profitable and scalable eCommerce operations.
About DMSMatrix
DMSMatrix is a global eCommerce enablement platform helping sellers and brands manage and expand their presence across international marketplaces. Its services include marketplace onboarding, listing management, inventory, shipping, analytics and account management, helping businesses simplify cross-border eCommerce and reach customers across global markets.