ASOS returns fee: Will charges stop you buying clothes online?

Ms Parry Williams, who founded Making Places Work, said free returns were “not sustainable” but added many customers may struggle with companies taking it away from them.

“I think consumers like satisfaction and convenience,” she said.

“Some people will be quite happy and accept it, like those who live in more rural locations because its far easier for them to pay the fee than go to store.

“But I think for those in urban locations there will be more of a shift here as they may be more inclined to go out of their way a little bit to return their items in physical stores.

“The labour and the cost involved with the retunes process is considerable,” and therefore many retailers may charge to look to improve sizing, quality and descriptions to deter returns.

“The patterns are showing there is more of a shift to the high street, people want to support their communities and consumers are very conscious of that and the sustainability element.”

She said it may even mean online retailers lead into that demand and open physical stores.