It was the kind of “-geddon” that could be seen coming from a mile away — a perfect storm combining an ecommerce boom; retailers, fulfillment centers and shipping providers that were already stretched thin by a global pandemic; and the historically hectic holiday season looming. In the aftermath of “Returnageddon,” retailers are putting new energy behind solving this very old problem.
With the stakes for getting returns right continuing to rise, retailers have to focus on multiple elements including the customer’s return experience and streamlining reverse logistics systems (sometimes with the help of third parties). Additional factors include: