Walmart promises 30-second returns in stores

Walmart is abolishing those dreaded return lines by making consumers a 30-second return promise.

The big box retailer says it’s launching a new service in November that will make it easier and faster to return items bought from the store.

They’re calling it mobile express returns.

The initial system will only be aimed at goods sold and shipped by walmart.com. It’s expected to expand to store purchases later next year.

Walmart says making a return at the store used to take about five minutes. Now returns will only require two steps, with the process starting with a QR code on customers’ phones before heading to the store.

The new service takes direct aim at Amazon, acknowledging it’s using physical stores to do what Amazon can’t.

It’s estimated that at least 30 percent of all products bought online are returned, compared to just 9% of goods bought at physical retailers.

Amazon is countering Walmart by offering returns at Whole Food stores now that it owns the grocery store chain.

Kohl’s has also partnered with the online giant, accepting returns and potentially bringing much needed foot traffic to its stores.

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