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Retailers Get Religion on Returns

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Product Overview

Date of PublicationMarch 30, 2023
GeographyWorldwide or by Region
LicenseEnterprise-Wide Internal - Subject to Fair Use License
FormatAdobe PDF
Author(s)Greg Buzek

What was once just a reasonable cost of doing business, retail returns have become a massive problem for retailers with the rapid growth of online sales and increases in outright fraud. With the expected slowdown in consumer spending and higher inflation, retailers are beginning to focus both time and technology on the issue of returns, with hopes of regaining lost margins. And the best place to start is to look at the top reasons for retail returns in your enterprise. In 2015 the total value of merchandise returns was estimated at $643 billion globally. By the end of 2019 this figure had increased to over $1 trillion worldwide. And in 2022, the costs of returns have been estimated to approach $1 trillion in costs to retailers a year in North America alone with Retail and Hospitality segments.

The current growth is unsustainable, not just for the environment, but for retailer profits. Retailers face significant challenges when it comes to managing returns. Every returned item represents a loss of margin, even if it can be resold. Thus, retailers should start with the focus being to top reasons for retail returns in their categories.

This content was also shared in a webinar and recording.  You can view the webinar recording here and the webinar slides here.

Content made available thanks to our sponsors Inmar and Brother Mobile Solutions

 

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Title: top reasons for retail returns

Product Overview

What was once just a reasonable cost of doing business, retail returns have become a massive problem for retailers with the rapid growth of online sales and increases in outright fraud. With the expected slowdown in consumer spending and higher inflation, retailers are beginning to focus both time and technology on the issue of returns, with hopes of regaining lost margins. And the best place to start is to look at the top reasons for retail returns in your enterprise. In 2015 the total value of merchandise returns was estimated at $643 billion globally. By the end of 2019 this figure had increased to over $1 trillion worldwide. And in 2022, the costs of returns have been estimated to approach $1 trillion in costs to retailers a year in North America alone with Retail and Hospitality segments.

The current growth is unsustainable, not just for the environment, but for retailer profits. Retailers face significant challenges when it comes to managing returns. Every returned item represents a loss of margin, even if it can be resold. Thus, retailers should start with the focus being to top reasons for retail returns in their categories.

This content was also shared in a webinar and recording.  You can view the webinar recording here and the webinar slides here.

Content made available thanks to our sponsors Inmar and Brother Mobile Solutions