The Logistics of Successful Returns

Aug 8, 2019International Logistics

96% of Americans shop online, and most of them are shopping weekly. This boom in e-commerce has been great for the logistics industry and we’ve been working harder than ever to get products to the consumer in record speed.

This increase in purchases has also led to a surge in returns. In fact, at least 30% of online orders are returned. If that doesn’t seem like a lot, compare that to the 9% of products re-turned to brick-and-mortar stores. The logistics of returns is now more important than ever be-fore, so our expert team is breaking down some details for you.

Maintain Control

We already know the field of logistics is complex. It can be tricky for retailers to offer low-cost, fast, reliable service for consumers. So how do you keep the customer coming back? Often, this involves offering free returns.

Some retailers are hesitant about signing a contract with logistics companies, because they think that offering free returns would affect their bottom line. In actuality, it keeps customers coming back. For both e-retailers and 3PLs, it is vital to maintain control of the entire logistical process so that customers are not disappointed and shipments stay on track.

Manage Your Channels

There are many parts of supply chains, and managing each channel is important to ensure the return process goes smoothly for all parties. When your warehouse is prepped with procedures for returns, everything is sped up.

Don’t forget the importance of keeping the customer and retailer updated. This means that automated systems are key for informing everyone of progress or setbacks.

Stock Up

The warehouse is an important player when it comes to returns. It’s essential for warehouses to keep products in stock, especially in cases where exchanges need to happen. That way, the customer and retailer are not waiting on fulfillment.

To do this effectively, warehouses need to be efficiently managed and overly communicative. Setbacks do happen from time to time, but the retailer must be informed so that it doesn’t hurt their relationship with the end consumer.

When it comes to returns, it’s not just about the 3PL. The retailer and consumer must be considered in each step. Want to learn more about setting your consumers up for success, even when handling returns? Let’s talk.

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