Shoppers ‘sold purchases on rather than returning them’ Cov’s Ring & Ride service set for a trial merger

MORE than half (51%) of shoppers have opted to re-sell unwanted purchases themselves rather than returning them to the store, a survey has found.

The top reasons for reselling include people finding it simpler than making a return, missing the returns window, wanting to give unwanted items “a new lease of life” and wanting to help the environment, according to the research from Barclaycard Payments.

The payments provider also commissioned a survey of 400 retailers in October, which found more than half (56%) reported seeing a drop in return rates in the past year.

Retailers attributed the change to consumers making more mindful purchasing decisions, buying less overall due to the cost-of-living crisis and making more environmentally friendly choices.

Nearly half (47%) of shoppers surveyed said they are using more sustainable shopping methods compared with last year, with some seeing it as a way to help manage their finances and reduce spending amid rising living costs.

A third (32%) said buying through more sustainable options had helped them access products that would normally be out of their price range.

Two in five (40%) retailers surveyed said they now offer a rental option, of which 61% had launched this service in the past year.

Designer clothing and handbags were among the most popular items available to rent or buy pre-used.

Linda Weston, head of core product, Barclaycard Payments, said: “Whether renting or buying second-hand, recycling through community groups, or selling pre-loved items on a reselling platform - our data shows more sustainable shopping options are becoming increasingly popular.

“Shopping this way can be an efficient way to access affordable products and services, which is especially important as the cost of living rises.”

Some 2,000 shoppers were surveyed in October.

COVENTRY’S Ring and Ride and On Demand bus services are set for a trial merger.

The move, which would create the UK’S largest Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service, is being planned to save funds.

Transport for West Midlands (TFWM) bosses say the Ring and Ride service, which is available doorto-door to anybody who cannot - or finds it difficult - to use regular public transport, is currently only carrying around a quarter of its pre-covid passenger numbers.

It is now set to be merged with West Midlands Bus On Demand.

The Uber-style shared bus service launched in the city last year under the region’s Future Transport Zone trial programme.

As standalone services, both have been hit by rising fuel costs, driver shortages, and reduced passenger numbers and faced being axed if they carried on on their own.

It is hoped that the merge will pave the way for an expanded, West Midlands Bus On Demand service, which will boast a larger fleet of fully accessible vehicles .

It will also cover more hours of the day - from 6am-11pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 11pm Satur

day and 8am to 3.30pm on Sundays. The trial merger, which will get underway during 2023, will see the introduction of a new charging structure based on distance travelled, with half-price concession fares available for those 18 and under, elderly users and customers with disabilities.

Under the proposed fare structure existing Ring & Ride passengers will pay just £1 for a journey under three miles.

This currently costs £1.30. Concession fares for longer journeys of up to 10 miles will be capped at £2.

Pete Bond, Transport for West Midlands director of integrated transport services said: “Like the wider bus industry these services are facing a difficult future following the double-whammy of lower demand after the Covid pandemic and rising costs of operation.

“But we know the Ring & Ride service in particular offers a valued social lifeline for its customers, who are mostly older or disabled people.

“Passengers of both services will, through the trial, share rides under the West Midlands On Demand banner and now have the opportunity to travel further and at different times of the day. Other than that, the service will be broadly similar to the one currently enjoyed.”

While the trial takes place all West Midlands Ring & Ride services outside Coventry will continue to operate.