Survey: 8 in 10 UK Adults Return or Sell Unwanted Gifts

A new survey reveals that eight in 10 British adults would return or sell unwanted gifts, highlighting common practices around holiday presents that often miss the mark. The research, based on responses from 2,000 adults, shows that nearly half of participants have regifted items to avoid additional spending, while others opt for exchanges, returns, or online sales to recoup value.

According to the findings, 47 percent of respondents have regifted an unwanted gift at some point, a move that helps stretch budgets by reusing items for future occasions. An additional 31 percent reported exchanging such presents, and 19 percent chose outright returns. More enterprising individuals, 27 percent, admitted to selling gifts online, earning an average of £30 per transaction. These behaviors peak during the Christmas season, when mismatched gifts are particularly prevalent.

Personal finance expert Nicola Morgan, speaking on behalf of the survey's commissioner, outlined key consumer protections under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. "The Consumer Rights Act 2015 allows us to freely return or exchange items in return for our money back, or store credit, in some cases," she said. However, she...