As the holiday season picks up, so does the pace in stores, with consumer spending expected to hit a record $902 per person on average across gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items, according to the National Retail Federation. Amid the festive hustle, efficient and secure shopping becomes a top priority for retailers and customers alike. One often-overlooked holiday helper in ensuring smooth transactions? The humble paper receipt.

Good for Retailers 

With the holiday rush comes the need for effective theft prevention as stores handle a higher volume of merchandise than usual. Paper receipts play a big role here. They allow for quick, reliable purchase verifications at the exit, which not only helps reduce shrinkage but also enables store associates to keep track of inventory more accurately. This seemingly small action serves as an essential layer of security, ensuring that each item leaving the store has been accounted for, protecting retailers from costly holiday losses. 

According to the US Bureau of Justice, losses due to shoplifting, employee theft, and other forms of retail crime reached $61.7 billion in 2019 and have only risen since—a statistic highlighted in an article by our member Domtar. With retail crime trending upward over the past four years, tools like paper receipts become even more critical in protecting inventory and preventing revenue losses during the busiest shopping season of the year.

Alongside the surge in holiday shopping often comes a rise in fraudulent returns. With the increased number of gifts, there are more opportunities for return scams, costing retailers millions each year. Paper receipts are a frontline defense here, as they’re much harder to falsify than digital receipts, which are sometimes subject to easy manipulation. By providing reliable proof of purchase, paper receipts help store associates quickly confirm legitimate returns, preserving store profits and allowing shoppers to make genuine returns with peace of mind. 

A smooth checkout experience is a gift in itself, especially when holiday lines are longer than usual. Paper receipts keep lines moving faster. Unlike digital alternatives, which often require sharing email addresses or phone numbers, paper receipts allow for a quicker, more straightforward checkout. During the holiday rush, this streamlined process is a win for both shoppers and retailers, letting customers get through the line faster and enjoy more of the season’s festivities. 

Good for Consumers 

When it comes to gift-giving, paper receipts bring peace of mind for both the giver and the recipient. Not only does this simple slip of paper make returns and exchanges straightforward, but it also takes the stress out of holiday giving, allowing loved ones to make adjustments if needed without any hassle.  

Opting for a paper receipt means you can keep your personal information private. In an age where data security is a massive concern, avoiding the need to share your email address or phone number at checkout helps protect against potential data breaches and unwanted marketing. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report 2023, 880,418 complaints of cyber-crime were reported to the FBI by the public, a 10 percent increase from 2022.

Digital receipts often lead to an influx of promotional emails, cluttering your inbox and making it easy to miss important messages. In contrast, a paper receipt keeps your shopping experience straightforward and free from digital distractions, allowing you to enjoy the holiday season without the anxiety of excessive marketing communications. By choosing paper receipts, you prioritize your privacy and streamline the overall shopping experience—letting you focus on what truly matters: spending time with loved ones and celebrating the joy of the season.  

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So, as you check off your holiday list, remember to include the paper receipt. It’s a small detail that delivers significant value, helping to keep the holiday season smooth, secure, and enjoyable for both retailers and consumers. Whether you’re buying gifts, making returns, or simply looking for a faster checkout, paper receipts make the season’s festivities just a little brighter.