Happy Returns Gets $11M Investment Led By PayPal

| Mike O'Brien

Happy Returns has received an $11 million investment from PayPal Holdings Inc., the venture arm of the payment solution company, with both pledging to reduce reverse logistics friction for merchants. The investment will also help Happy Returns toward its goal of 1,000 ecommerce returns bars by the end of the year.

Kohl’s Expands Amazon Returns to All 1,150 Stores in the Lower 48

| Mike O'Brien

A year and a half after first testing the program in Los Angeles and Chicago, Kohl’s will start accepting Amazon returns in July for free at its 1,150 stores in the 48 continental U.S. states, even without a box or label. Kohl’s says that “eligible Amazon items” can be returned free of charge.

Happy Returns Launches In-Store Returns Kiosks

| Mike O'Brien

Expanding on the success of its return bars in shopping malls, Happy Returns has created in-store kiosks where retailers can let customers do self-service returns, with a number of major chains kicking the tires as a possible launch partner. See how the solution works to solve the issues related to in-store ecommerce returns.

How Ecommerce Operations Summit 2019 Can Improve Your DTC Business

| Brian Barry

Given the rapid pace of change, how forward looking are your operations and fulfillment strategies, and are you pursuing the right ones? Ecommerce Operations Summit (April 9-11, Columbus), is an excellent way to evaluate emerging trends. Here are some highlights we found in the conference agenda, and why they’re beneficial.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

The Risk/Opportunity of Try Before You Buy and Ecommerce Returns

| Mike O'Brien

Try before you buy has become increasingly popular for apparel retailers because shoppers love it, but it can play havoc with returns. Justin Press of Brightpearl shares his insights in this latest edition of the MCM CommerceChat podcast. He will also lead a panel on this topic at Ecommerce Operations Summit, April 9-11 in Columbus, OH.

Ecommerce Shipping: Feeling the Need for Speed

| Daniela Forte

Sixty-three percent of customer expect items to be delivered within three days, and younger generations are showing loyalty toward companies that offer free expedited delivery options, even if they have to pay for it, according to a study by LaserShip. Here is a look at what customers expect from retailers when it comes to their shipping strategy.

Over 60% of U.S. Retailers Would Consider Banning Serial Returners

| Mike O'Brien

Sixty-one percent of U.S. retailers said they would consider banning serial returners as Amazon has done to combat the growing wave brought on by over-generous policies, according to a new survey from UK ecommerce software firm Brightpearl. In the UK, 45% of retailers said they would consider doing so.

Thinking Holiday Peak Season? Don’t Forget Reverse Logistics

| Don White

If you’re looking to revamp your warehouse processes to drive faster fulfillment, don’t forget that an efficient returns process is just as important in driving a better customer experience. Let’s take a look at how you can master reverse logistics and make the process count toward your bottom line this peak season and beyond.