domestic shipping, ecommerce, ecommerce returns, Endicia, FedEx, Free returns, IRCE, IRCE 2014, postage, returns, returns process, shipping, Shipping/Delivery, UPS, USPS

Boosting Engagement through Returns

| Erin Lynch

It might not sit high on the hierarchy of important things to tackle when it comes to all things ecommerce, but with 63% of consumers viewing the returns policy before making a purchase, merchant’s better start polishing up their returns plan.

USPS Changes May Affect Catalog Delivery

| MCM Staff

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee wants the USPS to eliminate to-the-door mail delivery and replace it with curbside and cluster box delivery. That may have an effect on how merchants mail catalogs to prospects and customers alike.

Mini Catalogs Catching On as Economy and Culture Change

| Del Williams

A growing number of direct to customer merchants, including National Ropers Supply, April Cornell and Crestline, are finding that supplementing full-sized catalogs with mini catalogs can help them do business more cost effectively while improving key metrics such as response rate.

Customer Service, customer service reps, social media, Twitter, Facebook, retail, Forrester, Conversocial, contact center, contact center agents

Solving Pain Points of Contact Center Forecasting

| Bob Webb

Anyone who has ever been responsible for ensuring that the right number of contact center agents are in their seats at the right time can tell you that producing an accurate schedule can be complex. If you are experiencing pain points in trying to produce an accurate forecast, you need a strategy that will help ensure you are maximizing available agents with call demand.

Returns, returns policy, holiday returns, retail, online retail, ecommerce, ecommerce fulfillment, operations and fulfillment, shipping/delivery

8 Tips for Creating a Solid Returns Policy

| Erin Lynch

While most merchants would prefer to not think about their returns policy, it’s imperative for every ecommerce company to have one. Not only is it good business, but it will also help customers trust your brand and the products that you sell. Here are eight tips designed to get you to master the art of the refund policy.

Warehouse, distribution center, retail operations management, ecommerce

Why Omnichannel Fulfillment Matters

| Erin Lynch

Shopping habits, shopping devices, and shopping locations are interchangeable in the customer’s eyes, which is why it’s more important than ever for merchants to offer a wide variety of omnichannel fulfillment options, according to Bill Toney, senior vice president, Omnichannel Solutions at VendorNet.