According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), consumers returned an estimated $428 billion in merchandise to retailers in 2020, approximately 10.6% of total U.S. retail sales in 2020. Following the 2021 holiday season, UPS says it is on track to process more than 60 million return packages between Nov. 14 and Jan. 22 – a 10% over last year. In addition, one in four Americans is expected to make a return.

Americans across the country will soon be feasting on turkey, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. In preparation, families bring out their favorite recipes to share with loved ones and get all the ingredients they need for a successful Thanksgiving. And retailers need to do the same.

Thanksgiving kicks off the five biggest shopping days of the year – the Turkey Five. Ahead of the big event, retailers must have their payments processes in place to handle numerous transactions and ensure that security breaches don’t “wreak havoc in the kitchen.”

Fueled by the pandemic, the entire grocery industry is evolving rapidly to offer shoppers faster, easier and safer ways to buy groceries. According to McKinsey, “Powerful trends, including new competitive pressures, technological advances, and evolving consumer attitudes and behaviors, will disrupt the grocery business from coast to coast in the next few years.”

Grocers adapt to changing consumers’ needs by evaluating payments processes and technology to ensure they’re driving a frictionless experience. Whether grocers realize it or not, payments play an essential role in all parts of the shopper’s journey. As they keep up with the rapid evolution, grocers should consider three ways to enhance their payments system.