What: Major retailers may be on an Amazon-like path when it comes to returns, allowing customers to keep refunded merchandise.

Why it is important: With fuel prices at record highs and ongoing supply chain turmoil, retailers are struggling to adapt and are doing whatever they can to lessen the pressure on themselves.

Retailers are struggling with excess inventory, and sorting it all comes at a high price. Returns add a significant burden to that storage challenge. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, retail returns hit an average of 16.6% in 2021 — up from 10.6% the year prior — adding up to more than $761 billion of merchandise that's likely to end up back in stores and warehouses.

Target, Walmart, Gap, and American Eagle Outfitters are among the retailers that are toying with the idea of letting customers keep refunded merchandise, following Amazon’s ‘returnless retuen’ policy for cheaper items years ago.

Target and Walmart are considering dramatic return-policy changes