Major 3PL Geodis has integrated Happy Returns into its Geodis eLogistics fulfillment division, enabling retail and ecommerce clients to extend the service to their end customers, providing another option for returning unwanted items and helping retailers track and manage the flow of returned goods.
Through a custom integration as the first member of a Happy Returns elite partner program, retailers using Geodis have visibility into the journey of each returned item, from drop-off at one of 9,000 Return Bar locations in malls and stores, shipment to a consolidation center and then back to their facilities.
Happy Returns, which was acquired by PayPal in 2021, claims that brands have retained up to 50% of revenue on goods returned using its services, based on its own internal data from last year. Customers include GymShark, Revolve, Allbirds and Levi Strauss.
Companies continue to wrestle with the growing problem of optimizing their retail and online returns, a cost that eats into profits and has led many to increase the free returns order threshold. According to eMarketer, the value of returned goods will hit $624.3 billion this year, up 2.2% and representing 8.5% of all retail, the latter figure remaining relatively flat since 2020.
“Joining forces with Happy Returns reflects a shared commitment to providing a more seamless reverse logistics process for retailers and shoppers alike,” said Michael Lamia, Senior Vice President of Geodis MyParcel and Geodis eLogistics, in a release. “We see the integration as a major competitive advantage for our customers as it allows brands to balance cost and speed while saving money and retaining revenue.”
Retailers can initiate immediate refunds to shoppers through Happy Returns, and help meet sustainability goals by offering customers box-free, label-free returns as shipments go to consolidation centers in reusable totes.
Reed Loeffel, manager of merchant acquisition and strategy for Geodis eLogistics, said this was its first returns solution provider integration. “It allows us to increase visibility to the end customer,” Loeffel said. “The benefit to Happy Returns is tapping into our network of customers.”
Launched in late 2021, Geodis eLogistics offers customized ecommerce distribution and fulfillment services targeting SMBs, but also available to enterprises. It has fulfillment centers in Nashville, Indiana, California and New Jersey, providing two-day ground shipping to 91% of the continental U.S.