3PL Reverse Logistics: Going Reverse to Move Ahead
Make reverse logistics a competitive advantage
E-commerce customers are increasingly comfortable with a buying experience that includes easy, free and frequent returns. Returns—and the issues involved with them—are nothing new for retail and e-commerce distribution, but the “new normal” of frequent returns offers 3PLs that can leverage their reverse logistics capacity a significant competitive advantage over competitors who can’t adapt to the new reality.
While some companies consider reverse logistics a necessary evil, those with well-managed returns programs can increase overall efficiency and profitability while satisfying customers and increasing loyalty. They find ways to resell more returned products, and are able to dispose of or restock what they can’t resell more efficiently and with less environmental impact.
What are some ways to increase your returns capacity?
Don’t be stuck in reverse
The days of hiding your returns department in the back of your warehouse are over. Making reverse logistics a focal point of your 3PL operations can lead to a more effective operation and more profitable one too.
Complexity can be tamed
With so many items sold via e-commerce these days, the complexity this variety can create is vast. Creating processes that can account for this large variety in the size and scope of goods is paramount for a 3PL that wants to embrace their reverse logistics.
The unknown known
The only thing for certain is that customers will return items.  How, when, and why these items are returned leads to many unknowns. A returns center rarely knows what goods are coming back, what shape they’ll be in, or how they’ll be packaged, which makes them difficult to predict or automate the response.  While these challenges can be daunting, a 3PL that accommodates for the differences in returns and considers all resale/disposal options for each situation can see more benefits from it’s varied strategies. Flexibility within a system is the key.
Employees must adapt to reverse thinking
Given the range of ways in which returned items can be handled, employees working on returns need to be skilled. They should be able to determine why a product was returned and decide how best to handle it.  To achieve this, training becomes a must.  Getting your workers to understand the different returns options and benefits from those options can make a difference in all facets of reverse logistics (response, re-purposing, reselling).
Think forward for a better reverse
3PLs that utilize technology in their returns process can see added benefits. Â For example, installing a reverse logistics software can save time by initiating returns more quickly, validating those returns more efficiently, and issue credits in the best manor possible. Â Tracking each return through a software process can also yield data that can be used for critical analysis of overall reverse logistics performance, or to spot trends in items being returned.
3PLs that dedicate time and effort to building a better returns department can tout a successful reverse logistics program.
Tags: 3PL, logistics, warehouse, inventory control, warehouse productivity, Third Party Logistics, inventory, Warehouse Management, warehousing
Evan Fleishacker