
Reverse logistics


How Data Addresses Unavoidable and Avoidable Returns
With the imperative to reduce returns shipping costs, it’s no wonder SMB fulfillment teams increasingly look for data trends. Patterns can help identify recurring fulfillment errors, which can be eliminated to help reduce avoidable returns. But as the stakes continue to rise, how do you address “unavoidable” returns?

Holiday Returns Cost Expected to Double
After the explosion in holiday ecommerce, comes the flood of holiday returns, expected to cost retailers $1.1 billion, twice what it did in 2020, according to data from Narvar. goTRG and Returnly both said Dec. 26 was the peak day for consumers to initiate returns. UPS traditionally lists Jan. 2 as peak returns day for transit of returns.

Happy Returns Network Expands to 2,600+ Locations in FedEx Deal
After parting ways with Amazon last year, FedEx is now jumping deeper into ecommerce returns, much as Amazon did with Kohl’s, by adding Happy Returns bars to 2,000+ FedEx locations, including 300 inside Walmart stores. Unboxed returns will be accepted from 150 different retailers when the program launches at the end of October.

Staples to Accept Returns from Other Retailers Through Optoro Partnership
Continuing a growing trend toward making ecommerce returns more convenient and safer for shoppers in the contactless pandemic era, Staples has struck a partnership with Optoro in which the office supply giant will accept unboxed returns from other retailers that will be processed by Optoro. More retailers will come online in January.

Return to Sender? The Ins and Outs of Subscription Box Returns
While subscription box businesses may not experience the 20% to 30% return rates of ecommerce, they still wrestle with their share, and how they handle them can significantly impact subscriber retention. It is critical to provide efficient, hassle-free service and prompt refunds where necessary. Here are key factors to consider.

Retailers Get Hip to Recommerce: Why this Trend is Here to Stay
Given the increased focus on sustainability and an Instagram-fueled focus on one-of-a-kind, vintage items, the growth and revenue potential of recommerce was inevitable. To be successful with this approach, you need to ensure that the customer experience is at its best, which is challenging given the logistics. Here are some tips.

New Industry Group Seeks to Tackle Growing Issue of Product Returns
To combat the growing problem of returns, which continue to eat away at profit margins, the Retail Value Chain Federation and returns prevention software provider Newmine have created the Product Returns Council to work on solutions. Both will take part in a returns workshop at Ecommerce Operations Summit, April 14-16 in Orlando.

UPS Affirms National Returns Day Will Set Record, But is Dec. 26 the Day?
A day after Christmas, UPS affirmed and updated its expectation that it would process just shy of 2 million returns on Jan. 2, 2020, representing a seventh consecutive record-breaking National Returns Day. But is Dec. 26 really the day retailers and ecommerce companies need to pay attention to? You be the judge.

UPS Says National Returns Day Will Be 26% Higher Than 2019
UPS is projecting a 26% increase on “national returns day” on Jan. 2, when 1.9 million inbound packages are expected to hit its network as Q4 ecommerce continues to balloon. Another somewhat smaller returns peak of 1.6 million packages/day will hit the week of Dec. 16; the daily average that month will be 1 million, UPS said.