It doesn’t matter how functional or creative your product is. If your customer has a negative return experience, they aren’t likely to buy from your company again. Now layer that on top of the busiest time of the year. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) bring record-breaking sales, but they also bring record-breaking returns. During BFCM, DTC brands see up to a 3x spike in returns. Without a solid strategy, they risk profit erosion, frustrated customers, and operational chaos.

Here’s the good news: returns don’t have to hurt your margins. With the right strategy and tools, returns can increase repeat purchases, boost loyalty, and even drive new revenue.

In this guide, we break down three key levers to turn BFCM return chaos into an opportunity for growth:

1. Optimize your return policies for retention and profit
2. Streamline reverse logistics to cut costs and fraud
3. Improve transparency to reduce returns and build trust

We’ll also show you how Shopify brands are using Corso’s Post-Purchase Platform to simplify returns, delight customers, and protect their bottom line.

1. Rethink Your Return Policy to Drive Customer Loyalty

Your return policy is more than fine print; it’s a revenue driver. For Shopify brands, return policies directly impact repeat purchase rates, customer acquisition, and LTV.

According to a 2023 Shopify study:

• 67% of shoppers are more likely to buy again after a frictionless returns experience.
• 42% of customers abandon carts if they can’t easily find the return policy.
• 40% of shoppers factor sustainability into their return decisions.

Make your policy work for your goals

If retention is your priority

Offer instant refunds or keep-the-item policies for low-cost products. Research shows that allowing customers to keep items instead of shipping them back increases repeat purchases from two-thirds of buyers.

If profitability is your focus

Shift towards exchange-first policies or store credit to keep revenue in-house. For brands with limited-edition drops or time-sensitive inventory, store credit can also create urgency and higher AOV.

BruMate is known for its limited edition cup drops, which often sell out the same day they are released. Store credit refunds allow them to retain profit even if the original design is now sold out.

If sustainability matters to your customers

Younger generations are increasingly eco-conscious. Offering carbon-neutral reshipments or donation options for returns can differentiate your brand and build trust.

Corso enables Shopify brands to customize return policies for different products, automate instant store credit, and offer carbon-neutral reshipments, all without adding operational complexity.

2. Streamline Reverse Logistics to Cut Costs and Combat Fraud

The returns process doesn’t end when a customer drops off their package; in fact, that’s when it starts. Poorly managed returns workflows create bottlenecks, rising costs, and frustrated customers.

Key logistic strategies for Shopify brands

Track returns data to optimize decisions

It’s not enough to know how many products are returned. You need to know why.
For example:

• If August shows an unusual spike in returns, drill down into categories.
• If 50% of skincare returns are due to melting, adjust packaging during warmer months.

Corso’s analytics dashboard lets you track reasons for returns, tie them to SKU-level trends, and proactively prevent repeat issues before peak seasons like BFCM. You can also leverage built in AI to get immediate answers to more direct questions, such as “what was the most common reason for returns in April?”.

Automate workflows to speed up resolutions

Manual returns processes slow CX teams and frustrate customers. Corso integrates directly with Shopify to automate:

• Refund approvals
• Exchange fulfillment
• Inventory restocking
• Store credit issuance

This allows CX teams to focus on high-value customer interactions, not repetitive admin work.

Prevent fraud before it costs you

Return fraud peaks during BFCM. While automation catches some anomalies, personalized human CX reviews can identify scams that bots can’t.

Corso combines automated detection with human review to flag suspicious behavior before it impacts your margins.

3. Improve Transparency to Reduce Returns and Build Trust

Returns often spike because customer expectations aren’t met. The solution? More transparency before and after purchase.

Be clear upfront

• Make your return policy visible during Black Friday promotions.
• Use Shopify-native integrations to embed policies directly on PDPs and checkout pages.

Reduce uncertainty with better product info

Brands with virtual showrooms, 3D visuals, and AR try-ons consistently see lower return rates. Providing clear, detailed information on size, fit, and functionality reduces buyer hesitation and prevents mismatched expectations.

Deliver proactive updates post-purchase

A branded tracking experience builds trust and reduces “Where’s my order?” tickets.
With Corso, Shopify brands can:

• Send real-time updates through Klaviyo flows
• Host a branded tracking page
• Offer self-service returns and exchanges. No CX involvement required

4. Preparing for BFCM: Pro Tips from Shopify Experts

Black Friday and Cyber Monday returns don’t have to crush your margins. These steps will set your team up for success:

• Extend your returns window to reduce pressure on CX teams
• Pre-stock inventory for common exchange sizes and colors
• Automate everything possible: refunds, exchanges, restocks, customer notifications
• Leverage returns data to anticipate spikes and adjust inventory levels

Final Thoughts

Black Friday returns are inevitable, but lost revenue doesn’t have to be. By rethinking your policies, simplifying reverse logistics, and building trust through transparency, you can turn returns into a profit driver.

Corso is the Shopify-native solution helping fast-growing brands like True Classic, Cuts, and Seager automate returns, improve CX, and protect margins during the busiest shopping season of the year.

Ready to simplify returns before BFCM?
Book a demo with Corso and see how we can help your brand turn holiday return chaos into revenue.