Press Release: RLA Announces Returns Management Survey Results

By Cathy Roberson, Reverse Logistics Association

November 3, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 3, 2021
Cathy Roberson
Reverse Logistics Association
404-683-7954
cathy@rla.org

RLA Announces Returns Management Survey Results

Increase in Returns volumes and costs expected to continue through Q4

Atlanta, Georgia: The Reverse Logistics Association today announced the results of its first returns management survey. Over half of survey respondents indicated increases in costs and volumes of returns during the third quarter and expect the trend to continue in the fourth quarter.

According to survey respondents, increases in rising transportation and warehousing costs and capacity limits within supply chains are contributing to the higher costs in returns management.

“The number of returns and costs associated with them continues to climb adding to an already tough environment of rising freight costs, capacity constraints and delays,” according to Tony Sciarrotta, Executive Director of RLA. “Despite the tough environment, there are ways to reduce the number and cost of returns. We encourage all to join our community to learn more about reverse logistics and to take advantage of our monthly seminars, directory of service providers, returns savings calculator, research, quarterly magazine and more.”

A new survey will be available each quarter and will measure the cost and volume of returns as a whole and by industry on a quarterly basis. The data will form the basis of a volume index and cost index.

About Reverse Logistics Association: The Reverse Logistics Association is the only authoritative body for best practices related to reverse logistics. RLA is a member-driven, global trade association for the returns and reverse industry. The RLA offers information, research, solutions, and facilitates networking introductions for manufacturers, retail companies, and third-party providers. Our goal is to educate and inform reverse logistics professionals globally and be the voice of the reverse industry.

Cathy has over 20 years within the supply chain market including eleven years with UPS where she spent most of her time on competitive and market analysis for the Supply Chain Solutions subsidiary. After UPS, Cathy spent several years with various supply chain consulting firms focusing on market research before starting her own supply chain market research firm, Logistics Trends & Insights. Prior to UPS, Cathy worked at an e-commerce consulting start-up and at several libraries as a reference librarian. Cathy also writes for Air Cargo World magazine and other publications and is a frequent speaker at various supply chain conferences.