Seel, the agentic post-purchase platform, today released new data revealing the post-holiday return trends from the 2025 holiday season. The data reveals that the 2025 holiday shopping season was defined by anxious consumers and unprecedented return activity, but also larger interest in the secondhand shopping market. According to Seel’s findings, shoppers are increasingly adding post-purchase protection, with a 134% spike YoY from November–December 2024 to 2025, indicating a rise in consumer anxiety during the holiday shopping season.
These return patterns reflect broader shifts in consumer behavior. U.S. consumers spent more online than ever before, with $257.8 billion spent in November and December 2025, but confidence lagged. Inflation flattened to just 2.3% by year-end, shoppers demonstrated increased thoughtfulness in their purchasing decisions, seeking greater protection and maintaining flexible return options.
Seel analyzed 19 million transactions across the past 24 months, examining return and refund trends across categories, fulfillment types, and buyer profiles. The findings paint a clear picture: shoppers are more informed and protection-conscious, and there is growing strain on retailers’ post-holiday operations.
Other Key Findings from Seel’s 2025 Post-Holiday Report:
- Rising Return Rates indicate Consumer Caution: Return rates rose 41% between November and December 2025 compared to the same time period in 2024
- Fashion, Electronics See Higher Holiday Returns: Seel data shows a 33% spike in fashion returns during November and December 2025 compared to the rest of the year, while consumer electronics showed a 22% holiday return spike
- Refund Value per Return is Increasing: Average refund value per return climbed 42% in 2025, while total refund dollars issued during Dec 26–Jan 15 rose 336% (2024 vs 2025 YoY)
“Post-purchase behavior now tells the truest story of consumer confidence,” said Laura Huddle, Chief Revenue Officer at Seel. “Even as spending holds steady, shoppers are demanding greater flexibility, security, and confidence as they shop. Retailers that treat the return experience as a loyalty moment, not a loss event, will gain a leg up on the shifting economic landscape and what we’re seeing as an even more competitive shopping environment in 2026.”
Seel’s data showed a 20% increase in secondhand purchases from November-December 2024 to the same holiday shopping period 2025, indicating growing interest in secondhand gifts during the holiday season. The increased interest in secondhand marketplaces is indicative of a larger trend, with the U.S. secondhand apparel market growing from $28 billion in 2019 to $49 billion in 2024. As more shoppers turn their eyes towards these marketplaces and seek greater return flexibility, it highlights the need for greater attention to the post-purchase experience for both secondhand markets and traditional retailers alike.
To explore how Seel can power the post-purchase experience, visit seel.com, and explore more data from its platform in Seel’s 2025 State of Returns and Refunds Report.
About Seel
Seel is the agentic post-purchase platform powering returns, coverage, and post-purchase care for any reason, even on final sale items. Merchants get guaranteed revenue from every protected order, while giving shoppers a seamless post-purchase experience with coverage that gets smarter with every transaction — improving pricing, risk assessment, and automated claims resolution for all. Over 20 million shoppers trust Seel across 5000+ merchants, including Backcountry, Rue Gilt Group, and Anker. Learn more at seel.com.
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Eric Gonzalez
VSC for Seel
Seel is the agentic post-purchase platform powering returns, coverage, and post-purchase care for any reason, even on final sale items. Merchants get guaranteed revenue from every protected order, while giving shoppers a seamless post-purchase experience with coverage that gets smarter with every transaction — improving pricing, risk assessment, and automated claims resolution for all. Over 20 million shoppers trust Seel across 5000+ merchants, including Backcountry, Rue Gilt Group, and Anker. Learn more at seel.com.
