Reverse Logistics & Returns

November 30, 2021
Posted by: Arman
Category: Uncategorized

Maximizing value from returned products

Returned products often endure additional costs and complexities to a business. However, with proper management, they can be used as opportunities to boost customer loyalty, enhance the business profitability and strengthen the identity of a brand.

With our expertise in the field of reverse logistics, we transform the returns process from an obligatory cost to a strategic advantage. With our collaboration, you can rest assured that Reverse Logistics will not be treated just as an independent process but instead be incorporated into an integrated strategy to optimize recovery potential. Our well-rounded approach reduces the costs associated with returns whilst offering your customers a simplistic, yet steadfast returns process with minimal fuss.

Identifying optimal disposition channels

As a reverse logistics expert, my expertise lies in analyzing and optimizing your operations by eliminating waste streams and identifying the best disposition method for each product — whether it’s returned to the vendor, return to stock, liquidation, recycle or salvage.

Strategic returns

Factoring reverse logistics into your overall strategy and goals can provide you with a competitive advantage. In this age, a reliable returns process enhances the customer experience, and the higher the efficiency of such a process, the lower is the associated expenses. With the ever-increasing rate of returns, make it your mission to transform these challenges into opportunities for your business.

Consider that:

In total, Americans returned $260 billion in merchandise to retailers last year, or 8 percent of all purchases, according to the National Retail Federation. That swells to 10 percent around the holiday season. Because less than half of returned goods are re-sold at full price, retailers may end up forfeiting 10 percent of their sales at the busiest time of year, according to Gartner Research.
The surge in digital shopping is only compounding the pain, as record online sales mean record online returns. It’s not uncommon to see return rates of 30 percent or more for merchandise that’s bought online. Clothing returns can be closer to 40 percent.
Discounted or discarded returns cost retailers 4.4 percent of revenue.

In this day and age, developing a returns strategy is of utmost importance than simply processing returns. With more than 20 years of innovation and refinement, I will guide you on how to build a comprehensive approach to reverse logistics. We skillfully examine your infrastructure, implement processes, maintain accurate records whilst adhering to regulatory requirements, and efficiently operate your consolidated reverse supply chain. Differentiate your customer experience, manage your inventory more effectively and protect your brand by using my expertise.

Returns processing

Each returned product presents an opportunity to enhance customer loyalty and minimize losses. For stores with a physical presence, and efficient returns process also presents the ability to focus on retailing new products, and not just process the returned goods. I am well-versed with the various reverse logistics channels and can use this knowledge to devise a reverse logistics strategy specifically for your business. With my expertise in the field, I will advise you on:

Design and operate returns centers or outsource

Appropriately accepting, evaluating and processing returns to form a rapport with customers and vendors.

Process returned inventory

Allocating returned products that are in near-new condition back into stock and using the same to fulfill orders, thus maximizing value.

Oversee return-to-vendor programs

Simplification of returns to the vendor by using us as a single point of contact for coordinating your returns process whilst managing the requirements of your multiple-vendor network.

Disposition management

Eradicate waste and achieve efficiency by having us categorize and assign returns into the appropriate disposition — whether it’s returned to stock, returned to the vendor, recycle or destroy.

Process hazardous materials

Appropriate handling and disposition of hazardous materials with specially designed tracking solutions.

Provide data visibility and reporting

Accurately measure the productivity and proficiency of your program, while maintaining transparency for regulators and stakeholders.

Recommerce and liquidation

Your product’s final disposition depends on the potential gain achievable versus probable costs that may be incurred including transportation, handling, and housing. An experienced recommerce, liquidation, and final-product-disposition provider, I always consider the broader view to identify all available options and the most appropriate channel.

Turn to me for advice on:

Test, data acquisition, learn, repair, and refurbish

Maximize recovered value from returned goods by testing, servicing, refurbishing, and repackaging returned products to make them suitable for resale.

Ensure you have enriched data that you can rally your internal teams around and make the needed adjustments, without any finger-pointing. Let the data do the work for you, which will include ‘Voice of the Customer (VOC)’, ‘Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)’ and ‘Pareto Analysis’.

De-brand and repackage returned goods

Use returned products in secondary marketplaces by de-branding and repackaging them without hampering your brand image.

Harvest and recycle parts and raw materials

Use the returned goods that are unsaleable by sorting and disassembling them and reusing or selling component parts and raw materials.

Redeploy product

Ensure appropriate placement of products with the view of optimizing sales potential. Reconfigure and repackage items to maximize the recovered value from returned goods.

Unsaleable goods and damage research

A thorough understanding of product returns and the root causes is imperative to improving your manufacturing and logistics operations. Issues such as manufacturing defects and poor design of packaging can increase the frequency of return. As an experienced analyst, I apply a scientific approach to identify causes and minimize unsaleable returns by performing:

Benchmarking of unsaleables

Compare your unsaleable performance to the industry average and identify areas of potential savings in your operations.

Supply chain analysis and damage research

Using a structured research process to identify root causes that lead to unsaleables and damaged products.

Collaboration with trading partners

Act as a point of contact for Supply Chain solution providers to identify and formulate resolutions to problems related to damaged and expired products.

Consultation on reimbursement policies

Adhere to a set of fair, clear, and equitable guidelines regarding financial responsibility for unsaleable goods to foster vendor and partner relationships.

Recalls and disposition

Customer Satisfaction and Brand Reputation can be enhanced by appropriately managing recalls. With insights gained through my experience in the retail, healthcare, technology, and consumer goods industries, I will help your business through this challenge by implementing:

Product recall management

Use our end-to-end proactive and efficient recall services to boost customer confidence and brand reputation.

Product intake and processing

Efficiently and effectively coordinate high-volume of returns in critical situations using our proven processes and resources.

Reimbursement of customers

Provide customer satisfaction with timely, accurate reimbursements and product exchanges.

Testing and disposal

We can perform testing on returns to provide a better understanding of issues prior to efficiently disposing of items using environmentally conscious procedures.

Secure destruction of regulated goods

Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other hazardous materials are disposed of with strict adherence to regulations.