Consumer Behavior

Holiday shoppers looking for free shipping, easy returns

Generated by AI/Adobe Stock

October 7, 2026

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In addition to looking for the best deals this holiday season consumers are expecting free shipping and easy returns.

That's a top finding from the "2026 Peak Season Consumer Report," released by Kenco, a third-party logistics provider.

The study also revealed 43% of consumers plan to spend more during the 2026 peak season, while 39% expect to spend about the same. Only 18% plan to spend less, compared to 28% in 2025, according to a press release.

Price pressures remain consumers' dominant concern with 59% percent identifying product pricing and inflation as their biggest worry heading into peak season.

Consumer Behavior