Publisher: NRF & Happy Returns
Published Date: Sep 2024

Today’s customer journey includes an increasingly important landmark: Returns. Whether it’s considering return policies before making a purchase, embracing omnichannel return options or deciding to become a repeat customer based on a returns experience, consumers are influenced by returns at nearly every decision point in the path to purchase. Retailers are responding by investing in a variety of innovative returns options. But, at the same time, they are facing growing costs for managing and processing returns. This is only complicated by the prevalence of fraudulent and abusive returns practices. To understand this shifting landscape, NRF and Happy Returns, a UPS company, explored both consumer and retailer perspectives and priorities for the returns experience.

Publisher: RLA
Author: Sandra Rhee
Publish Date: 2024

Recent industry reports indicate shifts in return policies, moving from free to fee-based models with increasing exceptions, rules, and customizations. In response, RLA conducted a comprehensive analysis of return policies in 2024. Return policies serve as the crucial bridge between customers, retailers, and manufacturers, with their language often reflecting the level of trust extended to the customer. This research uncovers trends in the language surrounding return conditions—detailing how, when, and what items can be refunded. The findings offer valuable insights into the evolving customer return experience and the expectations on reverse logistics systems to support the desired experience.

Publisher: RLA
Author: David Medof
Publish Date: 2024
In today's climate-conscious business landscape, reverse logistics (also called “RL”) has emerged as a critical component of corporate sustainability initiatives. Companies across industries are increasingly releasing detailed RL data in their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, driven by a growing emphasis on circularity and waste reduction. To harness the power of this wealth of information, the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA) has developed an innovative online platform designed to aggregate and analyze this valuable data. By standardizing reverse logistics metrics with a database system, our project facilitates statistical analysis and benchmarking. This standardization not only allows for quantitative comparisons but also uncovers novel approaches to making reverse logistics more sustainable and profitable.

Publisher: DHL
Publish Date: Aug 2024

How can your business create a seamless delivery and returns experience?

Publisher: Bidpath / RLA
Author: Dan Main / Cathy Roberson
Publish Date: 2024

This survey set out to look at 4 key areas across 19 questions in order to identify the profile of respondents, their process, inventory and priorities. A key priority for managing retail returns is to ensure that as few items as possible end up being recycled or landfilled, by instead ensuring they are resold or reused

Publisher: RLA
Publish Date: July 2024

The first edition of the RLA Reverse Logistics Glossary is a comprehensive resource that covers almost 200 definitions specific to returns and circularity, including repairs, recycle, logistics and other operational terms focused on reverse logistics.

Publisher: Appriss Retail
Publish Date: 2024

This report by Appriss Retail research the growth of claims and appeasement fraud in retail based on data between 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2023. The cost of return fraud and abuse to retailers grew from $20 billion in 2022 to $101 billion in 2023. The report suggests that retailers should utilize AI tools to detect return fraud on a customer-by-customer basis.

Publisher: Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Published Date: 2024

This paper spotlights the potential and meaning of a circular economy to supply chain professionals. The circular supply chain process is explained in the context of the popular SCOR model. Nine focus areas are presented for businesses to tackle in their circularity journey, including case studies of Hewlett Packard and Philips.

Publisher: MIT Climate & Sustainability Consortium

Published Date: Oct 2023

This research article delves into the regulatory challenges hindering e-waste recycling and recovery. The report highlights the critical role of advanced disassembly technologies and global cooperation in overcoming these regulatory challenges. It also underscores the opportunity for standardized logistics and a cohesive legislative effort to benefit the environment and the economy.

Publisher: MIT
Published Date: May 2023

This MIT study examines how nanostores manage cardboard packaging waste, focusing on the return, reuse, and recycling practices in Bolivia's La Paz and El Alto. It reveals a significant reuse rate of 75% among small retailers, suggesting potential for increasing cardboard returnability at scale. The study proposes that enhancing package durability and regulatory support could improve sustainability in supply chains. Ultimately, the authors emphasize the role of nanostores in advancing a circular economy.

Publisher: MIT
Author: Sarah Lohmar
Published Date: June 2023

This research focuses on textile reuse and donation in Boston and Cambridge post-Massachusetts' ban on textile disposal. It highlights the necessity of diverting textiles from incineration to protect the environment, and it explores stakeholder responsibilities in the textile recovery process. The report provides strategic recommendations to improve the textile recovery space in three key categories: stewardship, educational efforts, and policy initiatives.

Authors: Marat Ibragimov, Siham El Kiham, John R. Hauser
Author’s Schools: Emory University, Frankfurt School, MIT (respectively)
Published Date: Feb 2024

This study investigates how pre-purchase customer activities on retailers' websites can inform return management strategies. The authors examined data from a European apparel retailer to find customer patterns such as last-click purchases and the impact of focused browsing in reducing return likelihood. Strategic adjustments in online product visibility and customer browsing could significantly improve retailers' performance by decreasing return rates.

Publisher: MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
Published Date: 2023

The "State of Supply Chain Sustainability 2023" report highlights resilience in sustainability commitments across supply chains. However, it uncovers challenges in global adoption of net-zero goals, particularly with Scope 3 emissions and the disparity in net-zero commitment between wealthier and lower-income regions. This underscores the need for collaborative efforts and standardized measurements to advance supply chain sustainability globally.

Publisher: ReverseLogix
Published Date: 2024

This whitepaper explores the importance of optimizing the e-commerce returns process to satisfy and retain customers. It highlights the challenges retailers face in creating efficient returns management systems, such as technology integration and meeting the demands of a flexible customer-centric approach. It recommends leveraging technology to provide customers with a smooth front-end experience while providing an efficient process for internal back-end operations.

Publisher: GoTRG
Published Date: 2023

This report reveals that retail returns hit $743 billion in 2023. Retailers are responding to the escalating costs by shifting strategies to be less consumer-centric, focusing instead on 1) reducing returns costs and 2) improving recovery rates through technology and third-party partnerships. goTRG predicts that managing returns will become increasingly crucial for improving customer satisfaction and operations.

Non RLA Member can purchase the book using this Shopify link.

Publisher: Rich Bulger
Published Date: 2024

Going Circular: The Evolution of Reverse Logistics into a Competitive Weapon
Explore the transformative power of reverse logistics in 'Going Circular: The Evolution of Reverse Logistics into a Competitive Weapon' by Rich Bulger.
This book explores concept of how reverse logistics is transforming from being a “necessary evil” into a dynamic driver of profitable growth and sustainability. In Going Circular: The Evolution of Reverse Logistics into a Competitive Weapon, Rich Bulger redefines reverse logistics and presents it as a crucial component for boosting revenue, enhancing customer experience, and supporting the circular economy. Comprising seven chapters and three “reUse” case studies, Going Circular is a must-read for professionals that are looking to integrate reverse logistics into their evolving business strategies. By using this insightful guide to integrate reverse logistics into sales, marketing, and customer retention, Going Circular will help businesses on their path to both sustainable transformation and increased profitability.

Presenter: Tony Sciarrotta

Industry and Ecological Crisis - The Nightmare Beyond All Nightmares!

This is a 21minutes Video

Publisher: Liquidity Services
Published Date: 2023

This new benchmarking study, which was independently conducted among 100+ retail reverse logistics and supply chain leaders, explores industry best practices for increasing recovery, improving transportation and storage/warehouse efficiency, and obtaining better data and analytics.

Publisher: goTRG
Published Date: 2023

In an analysis by goTRG based on a recent survey, GoTRG finds that retailers are looking for collaborators who understand their challenges, anticipate their needs, and offer tailored solutions that are balanced between touch and technology. The solution also needs to optimize the process to ensure maximum financial recovery and minimal waste according to Sender Shamiss, President/CEO of goTRG.

Publisher: Trew
Published Date: 2022

Returns are no longer that small cost center located in the back of the distribution center. The rise in e-commerce is forcing all retailers to re-examine and adjust their plans to deal with returns and many are looking to automation to help. This article outlines the 7 operational considerations retailers need to review when looking for an automated solution. Unless, of course, you have a crystal ball.