Product Returns

How SMBs Can Compete in an Era of Free Returns
February 19, 2024 at 10:14 am

It's the way of the world that giant corporations have the resources to crush their competition, especially when they attain a dominant position in the marketplace. The goliaths of Amazon.com and eBay did this to SMBs when they started offering FREE returns of online purchases. To be fair, the big companies probably didn’t foresee the…

Reimagining the Fate of Returns With Reverse Logistics Experts
February 13, 2024 at 10:02 am

Modern consumers clearly value lenient, streamlined and cheap — if not free — return policies. At the same time, the cost of processing these returns has never been higher. To further complicate matters, a given retailer’s biggest returners are often some of their best customers. A majority of shoppers surveyed said they make the most…

Return of the Fees: How Retailers Can Reduce High Return Rates
February 5, 2024 at 1:22 pm

After years of free and easy return policies, retailers are working to reduce rampant return rates. Nearly half now charge fees to offset rising costs. Popular brands like H&M, Zara, and DSW, among others, are opting to add fees to combat environmental, freight, labor and packaging costs associated with product returns. But are these punitive…

Why Return Season is a Golden Opportunity for Retailers
January 31, 2024 at 9:32 am

For retailers, the game has changed when it comes to returns. Pandemic-era purchase habits have pushed online sales higher than ever before, but the double-edged sword is that return rates are also through the roof. Still, with consumer habits shifting more online, returns can provide retailers with a rich opportunity to turn a negative into…

Tackling Holiday Returns? The Secret to Success Unveiled
January 4, 2024 at 10:29 am

A whopping 69 percent of retailers treat returns as a cost of doing business, meaning they simply accept that they will incur $165 million in merchandise returns for every $1 billion in sales. This problem is further exacerbated during the holiday season when 17.9 percent of merchandise sold is returned. But what if one shift could…

How Small Businesses Can Navigate the Post-Holiday Return Season
December 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm

With the holiday season underway, retailers of all sizes have been preparing themselves for a festive surge in sales. However, the post-holiday months bring in a wave of returns that can serve as a financial challenge for small businesses. Recent data from Xero, the global small business platform, reveals that a staggering 53 percent of…

The Surprise Gift of Returns: Driving Customer Retention During the Holidays
December 18, 2023 at 9:55 am

The holiday season, synonymous with joyous celebrations and bustling retail activity, also brings a notable surge in product returns. But while many retailers perceive returns as a challenge, our data reveals a surprising and valuable insight — returns are an untapped opportunity for amplified customer retention. Providing customers with a straightforward and hassle-free return policy…

Bridging the Gap Between Online Perception and Offline Reality for Retail Success
December 5, 2023 at 2:42 pm

The digital marketplace is thriving, with consumers increasingly turning to online channels for their shopping needs. However, this shift has brought about a concerning disconnect between online perception and offline reality, leading to a surge in return rates. During the holiday shopping season, it's crucial for retailers to address this issue to improve customer satisfaction…

The Return of Return Season: How LCNC is Helping Retailers Prepare for the Post-Holiday Rush
November 13, 2023 at 8:19 am

In a media cycle full of daily shocks and surprises, there’s comfort in the mania of the holiday shopping season. Each year, we know a few things will happen — endless speculation on consumer spending habits, earlier-than-ever deals and sales, and a frenetic spin-cycle of shopping and returns that ultimately deposits us into the darkness…

How to Catch Fraud While Maintaining a Great Customer Experience
October 10, 2023 at 2:42 pm

It’s time for retailers to rethink the adage, “the customer is always right.” This saying initially came from a desire to keep shoppers happy and ensure top-notch service. However, this practice leaves retailers vulnerable to unnecessary loss and fraud. On the contrary, overcompensating and creating restrictive policies to catch potential fraudulent returns can hurt loyal…