Just before New Year’s, a customer decided to surprise all the mechanics at his auto shop with brand-new headphones. He clicked fast, added 25 pairs to his cart, and felt like the best boss ever—until the box arrived and every single pair was bright pink. By January 2nd, all 25 headphones were on their way back to Amazon.
It sounds funny, but it’s a perfect example of how returns pile up after the holidays. Multiply that by millions of shoppers, and you start to see why January is the busiest month of the year for returns.
Returns are an unavoidable part of e-commerce, and on Amazon, they follow predictable rhythms throughout the year. For sellers, knowing when these spikes happen makes it much easier to prepare and protect profits.
The biggest surge comes during the holiday season. November and December see enormous order volume, much of it gift-related. With so many purchases made in a hurry, it’s no surprise that January is the peak month for returns. Customers unwrap their gifts, try them out, and decide what stays and what goes. For many Amazon sellers, this post-holiday wave represents their highest return period of the year.
Returns also climb around major sales events. Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday create massive spikes in orders. But along with bigger sales come bigger returns. Shoppers often “bracket” their purchases—ordering multiple sizes, colors, or styles with the intention of keeping just one. What looks like record sales on the front end can mean more returns on the back end.
Smaller waves also appear during seasonal transitions. Apparel, shoes, and outdoor gear see higher returns when customers buy for a new season and later decide they don’t need the items—or discover they don’t fit as expected.
For sellers, the lesson is simple: don’t panic when returns climb after these moments. It’s normal, and you can plan for it. Stock levels, staffing in your warehouse, and customer service systems should all take into account these predictable swings.
Handled well, these high-return periods don’t have to feel like setbacks. They’re part of the natural rhythm of selling on Amazon. What matters is being ready for them.
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