Valentine's Dismay! 158% jump in parcel returns on Monday

In a devastating rejection, new collect+ parcel data shows that 55,875 parcels were returned on 14 February versus 21,630 the previous Monday.

The network of 10,000 UK locations shows that a total of 74,080 parcels were collected from stores in the run up to Valentine’s Day between February 11 and 14. In the same period 36,781 customer orders arrived in their local store, the perfect way to get a last-minute gift delivered away from home and the prying eyes of an expectant partner.

Valentine’s Day itself saw a total of 55,875 parcel returns, indicating that a large number of Brits had ordered the wrong size, colour, brand or wrong gift entirely – a 158 per cent increase on the previous Monday, February 7, which saw just 21,630 parcels returned, and up 126 per cent on Monday, January 31.

“Last year, the UK celebrated Valentine’s Day under lockdown, so it’s great to see people were out and about last weekend collecting special purchases for loved ones," said Nick Williams, Head of Strategic Partners & Product, Parcels at PayPoint. "Buying the right gift isn’t always easy so, despite seeing a sizeable jump in returns on Valentine’s this year, we hope that significant others around the UK still remembered … it’s the thought that counts.”

Meanwhile, sales of on-the-shelf products over the Valentine’s weekend (11-14 February) suggest there may have been a number of lonely hearts as a number of ready meals saw a spike versus the previous three week period. Love2Shop vouchers also saw an increase of 27 per cent in sales on Valentine’s Day versus the average over the previous week (7-13 February).

Lonely hearts

Brands that people reached for as a comforter to spending Valentine’s on their own included:

• Knorr Hot Mug Potato With Bacon and Onion +141%
• Nongshim Kimchi Ramyun Cup +105%
• Easy Chef Doner Kebabs +92%
• Grace Instant Cornmeal Porridge +90%
• Pudliszki Bigos Stew With Meat And Sausage +84%
• Peters Premier Pork & Pickle Sausage Roll +62%
• Koka Oriental Instant Noodles (Curry Flavour) +60%
• Pot Noodle Piri Piri Chicken +33%
• Bisto Bangers & Mash +30%
• Rustlers BBQ Rib Burger +28%