Using a 3PL isn’t for everyone. But escalating labor costs, requirements for a new facility, starting a new business or channel and avoiding capital costs are reasons we see companies comparing internal fulfillment to 3PL. Here are six major ways businesses have traditionally saved money and reduced capital using 3PLs in their supply chain.
Boox, a company providing returns service with reusable boxes being trialed by companies like Sephora, Revolve and lululemon, is rolling out a line of reusable bags as it expands into apparel and other categories and looks to grow its footprint beyond the U.S. and the UK. The Boox Baag, as it’s called, is made from recycled polyester.
PayPal is extending returns services through its Happy Returns unit for free to all PayPal Checkout merchant customers, while also naming Ulta Beauty as an in-store returns bar partner, adding 1,300 locations and bringing the total to more than 5k in the U.S. The returns portal is also localized to 8 languages for EU and Canada.
Narvar is letting retailers offer customers the convenience of home pickup of returns within one to 10 days for a convenience fee, a service that was piloted at 70 companies in Q4. The home pickup service is currently offered in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, with plans to expand to about 100 more markets.
Do you want a latte with that toy your kid didn’t like? Target said it is offering curbside returns in select markets starting this fall, as well as the opportunity to grab a Starbucks beverage while you’re at it. The red target retailer said customers can use the Target app to set up a curbside return and/or grab a caffeinated drink.
Veho, a startup whose software matches demand to crowdsourced drivers and handles deliveries and returns out of its own warehouses, has raised another $170 million to reach a $1.5 billion valuation, just two months after its last $125 million round made it a unicorn. The company plans to expand to national coverage in 2022.
However unsatisfactory the returns process is now it gives businesses an incredible opportunity to build loyalty and delight customers. By optimizing it for convenience, and by taking steps to reduce the risk of returns fraud, you can create a better experience for customers to win and keep their loyalty.
For decades, studies show a high percent of customers feel ease of returning products impact their purchasing decisions. “Free” returns shipping makes shopping even more attractive. Who wants to buy a product that can’t be returned or carries onerous conditions? Here are 7 ways to lessen the profit impact of ecommerce returns.
