Latest news with #returns
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Geodis returns solutions aim for streamlined reverse logistics
Geodis has unveiled two innovative returns solutions designed to streamline the increasingly complex world of reverse logistics. As e-commerce continues its rapid expansion, the volume of product returns has surged, presenting significant challenges for retailers. Geodis's new offerings, a returns workflow automation module and a returns management module, aim to address these demands by enhancing efficiency and optimizing the entire returns cycle. While best leveraged in tandem, these modules can also function independently, offering flexibility to Geodis's diverse clientele, the company said in a release. The returns workflow automation module is a consumer-centric, self-service portal that simplifies the initiation of returns or exchanges. This user-friendly interface allows end consumers to generate return shipping labels, removing the need for direct shipper involvement. This automatic label generation serves as an advanced shipping notice for Geodis, eliminating the manual creation of entries within the warehouse management system. The technology is engineered to improve speed, reduce cycle times, and optimize costs, benefiting both Geodis customers and their end consumers. Built as a cloud-native solution, this module integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Magento, providing comprehensive visibility from the moment a return is created through product disposition and refund. Geodis clients can personalize the portal with their own branding, including logos, colors, fonts, and messaging. The highly customizable solution also empowers clients to tailor returns policies to their specific requirements, ensuring consistency in the customer experience. Furthermore, it offers advanced and configurable reporting capabilities, and multilingual support for English, Spanish, and Portuguese, for a localized returns experience for consumers in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. On the release, Pal Narayanan, executive vice president and chief information officer at Geodis in the Americas, noted the business-critical nature of returns optimization. He emphasized that the new modules were designed for adaptability and scalability, catering to an array of client needs to bolster their reverse logistics strategies in a quickly evolving environment. The returns management module focuses on optimizing the reverse logistics process within the warehouse. Upon receiving a return, the module swiftly assesses the product and its value, categorizing it for reintroduction into inventory, refurbishment, or disposal due to damage. Retailers can customize how items are classified and processed, aligning with their individual returns strategies. This module also delivers real-time visibility into inventory levels, alongside robust reporting features. These include SKU-level insights that identify frequently returned products, pinpointing potential issues. The reporting capabilities can enhance overall retail operations, including sustainability efforts, by uncovering consumer return patterns and trends. For instance, data-driven insights can help retailers stock more efficiently, determine which returns are suitable for re-entry into inventory to reduce unnecessary disposal, and identify product issues to lower the likelihood of future returns, reducing associated emissions and packaging materials. Both the returns workflow automation module and the returns management module are now accessible to Geodis contract logistics and transportation customers across the Americas region. Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here. Warehouse automation surging ahead despite predicted slowdown FedEx to close 30% of package facilities as network integration ramps up Teamsters complain UPS slow to deploy air-conditioned vehicles DHL Express Canada, striking workers tentatively agree on labor deal The post Geodis returns solutions aim for streamlined reverse logistics appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Asos customers banned for being ‘serial returners' say it is ‘deeply concerning'
Shoppers using the online retailer Asos have complained about having their accounts closed and being accused of breaching a 'fair use' policy on returns. Asos updated its terms and conditions last September, introducing charges for shoppers who frequently returned large numbers of goods in attempts to crack down on 'serial returners'. In the past few days some customers have reported receiving emails saying their accounts would be deactivated. One shopper, Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, said she had been contacted to say her account had been closed because she had made too many returns. 'As a tall, plus-sized, neurodivergent customer I find Asos's decision to deactivate accounts without warning deeply concerning,' she said. 'For people like me, online shopping isn't just a preference, it's a necessity. The high street often doesn't cater to our body types or sensory needs, and the physical act of shopping can be overwhelming … We rely on online retailers to try clothes in the safety and comfort of our own homes.' Frazer, whose video sharing her experience has had 150,000 views on TikTok, said one of the reasons for the returns was inconsistent sizing. 'To now be penalised for returning items that don't fit after being forced to order multiple sizes due to inconsistent sizing is not only unfair, it's discriminatory,' she said. 'There was no explanation, no transparency, and no chance to appeal.' On X (formerly Twitter) another user posted a picture of two bodysuits which were both labelled as medium but appeared to be different sizes. I'm a size 8-10. I mostly wear a size S. The bodysuit on the left is M (too small). The bodysuit on the right is also M (too big). But ASOS are closing my account because I return things 😂 @ASOS_news They said: 'I'm a size eight to 10. I mostly wear a size small. The bodysuit on the left is a medium (too small). The body suit on the right is also medium (too big). But Asos are closing my account because I return things.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Asos said: 'We recently closed the accounts of a small group of customers whose shopping activity has consistently fallen outside our fair use policy. This helps us maintain our commitment to offering free returns to all customers across all core markets.' Gary Rycroft, a consumer lawyer at Joseph A Jones & Co solicitors, said it was lawful for a business to decide it did not wish to conduct business with a certain group of customers, as long as the decision was based on commercial data and not discriminatory. 'Asos have imposed a threshold on returns and that's fine for them to change their terms and conditions and as long as other statutory protections for consumers are not breached,' he said. Such a change in terms and conditions should not affect the right of consumers to return goods that are faulty or not as described, he matching a retailer's published measurements for particular sizes could be said to be 'not as described'.
Bloomberg
21 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Japan Pension Shuns Bonds With 57% of Fund in Alternative Assets
Japan's once conservative pension funds are putting more of their cash in alternative assets to push up returns. One corporate money manager has taken that to a whole new level. Daiwa House Industry Co. 's retirement fund has parked a whopping 57% of the company's holdings in alternative assets such as private equity and debt, as well as hedge funds as of the end of March.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
In-Store Returns for Online Orders Are Crushing Retailers, Survey Shows
While online shopping has been a boon to many businesses, in-store returns are proving a crushing burden for retailers. In fact, 43 percent say handling returns stemming from e-commerce purchases is one of their foremost challenges, according to a recent survey from Retail Systems Research (RSR) and retail technology provider Jumpmind. Those same retailers also said increases in return volumes has created new expenses due to employee workload and processing costs. More from Sourcing Journal Walmart Plans to Bring 100K New Indian Small Businesses Online Florida AG Announces 44 Arrests in Retail Crime Blitz Majority of Americans Believe Tariffs Threaten Their Finances At the same time, retailers aren't capitalizing on what has been characterized as an upside of in-store returns: the chance to entice shoppers into another sale. The added touchpoint isn't actually providing them with much sales lift, the study showed, with just 17 percent of consumers spending more money during their returns visit. That's a far grimmer estimate than retailers anticipated; 72 percent of those surveyed believe that in-person returns create new opportunities for in-store sales. While 40 percent do look for a similar item to exchange (perhaps in a different size or color), a full 43 percent simply return their purchase and walk out. The study, which surveyed retail and store managers between December 2024 and January 2025, underscored the idea that while e-commerce has given shoppers convenience and near-unlimited product selection, that access has led to an unintended consequence for retailers—namely, a deluge of returns. The average return rate for online buys is three times higher than the rate for in-store purchases given practices like 'bracketing,' or buying the same product in different sizes with the intent to return what doesn't fit. The practice might be beneficial for shoppers, but it's costing retailers money. According to the study's research, average return costs for retailers amount to between 15 and 30 percent of the original purchase price—a total impact of $550 billion per year. Notably, most retailers urge online shoppers to return unwanted purchases in stores to avoid the cost of shipping and handling. But more than one in every 5 retailers also said their stores aren't equipped for advanced customer service functions, from online returns to online order pickups, despite 41 percent saying they know omnichannel fulfillment and returns require new tools, roles and workflows. A sour experience can leave a bad taste in a consumer's mouth—and that impression can be lasting. Ease of returns is often cited by shoppers as a top reason that they choose to shop at certain stores, and those that have modern processes in place for quick, seamless transactions tend to win out. 'Those retailers whose returns processes have not been overhauled since their (likely) creation during the pandemic are particularly challenged, as the processes they cobbled together in a hurry are not fit for today's scale of returns,' Steve Rowen, managing partner at RSR, said in a statement. In fact, 65 percent of retailers reported that their current technology can't support 'the future of shopping.' 'The ability to accept a return is one thing; the ability to profitably handle that merchandise is far more complex,' Rowen said. Lauren Cevallos, head of strategy and customer service at Jumpmind, noted that retailers are leaving money on the table by not optimizing in-store returns. 'Instead, the cost and complexity of handling online returns is weighing down retailers' store efficiency and profitability,' she explained. 'Many are using disparate and legacy systems that make the process more challenging—for both store associates and customers.' Still, some 80 percent of sales still take place in retail stores, so it's crucial that retailers revamp and enhance their returns processes. As it stands, just 30 percent of retailers with POS systems older than five years said they feel confident they're delivering an innovated and differentiated experience, compared with 73 percent of those that have upgraded their systems in the past two years. 'Unfortunately, shoppers don't have much empathy for tech that isn't up to par,' analysts wrote. 'Retailers must be equipped to process returns efficiently and cost effectively. And those who treat returns as a transactional afterthought risk rising costs and lower customer satisfaction.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Slap in the face' blast shoppers after being BANNED from UK retail giant for ‘returning too many items'
SHOPPERS have shared their fury after being banned from shopping at a UK retail giant for returning too many items of clothing. Thousands of fashion fans have received emails stating that their accounts have been closed with "immediate effect" for breaking the Fair Use Policy. 3 3 3 ASOS last year enraged customers by charging a £3.95 fee to those who return items frequently, and keep less than £40 worth of items. And now the fast-fashion giant has sparked fury again, with customers describing the strict policy as a "slap in the face". ASOS said: "We recently closed the accounts of a small group of customers whose shopping activity has consistently fallen outside our Fair Use policy. "This helps us maintain our commitment to offering free returns to all customers across all core markets." ASOS' Fair Use Policy states that customers may have their accounts shut down if they carry out "unusual or suspicious activity", such as "unusual patterns of returns activity", and returning items that look like they have been worn. Lucy Britnell, from Teeside, has been paying for a premium ASOS account for seven years, but has now been banned from using the fast-fashion website. The self-confessed "shopaholic" said that she spends around £100 a month at ASOS and spent a whopping £500 on a haul for her latest holiday. She revealed that when buying large hauls, she often buys multiple sizes, as she claims ASOS' sizing is "often unpredictable". However, last Thursday, Lucy received an email stating that her account would be closed within 30 days. "After reviewing your recent return activity, we've noticed that it no longer aligns with our current policy", the email read. I've found the perfect spring wedding guest dress - it's from ASOS & people say it's so nice I'd even upstage the bride Lucy was left shocked by the email telling the BBC: "It was a real slap in the face - I thought it was a joke at first. "Even if they did reinstate my account, I'd take my money elsewhere. "It's really left a bad taste in my mouth." Other customers have revealed that they have tried to appeal the ban, but were "cut off" by customer service. Can your account be closed for making too many returns? By Laura McGuire, Consumer Reporter WHEN shopping online it is important to be clued up on what your rights are - especially when it comes to making a return. H&M, Boohoo and Zara are among the countless fashion retailers which make customers pay for sending products back. And brands such as ASOS and Pretty Little Thing now ban customers who return items frequently. Retailers can impose these stricter rules as part of their own returns policies. Some stores may assess shoppers return behaviour on a case-by-case basis, while others may have a strict blanket policy. Amazon customers in the US have claimed the retail giant has closed accounts without warning more making too many returns. Louise Gowrie, from Glasgow said: "I tried again and asked how to complain regarding this and they told me the decision was final - and cut me off again with no reasoning." Frankie Allen from London, was also told by customer service that nothing could be done about the ban, and slammed "robotic comms" for "alienating" customers. However, she added that she does understand why ASOS has decided to crack down. "I've received ripped jeans and clothes with make-up on them before from ASOS, so I know there are some people who abuse the policy - like they wear the clothes once, keep the labels on, then return them for a refund," she said. Explaining why ASOS introduced the severe measures, retail expert Medi Parry-Williams said: "Managing high volumes of returns simply isn't a sustainable model. "In many cases, a return fee of £3.95 doesn't come close to covering these costs." And ASOS is not the only online store to crack down on customers who make frequent returns. H&M, Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, and Zara are among stores which now charge customers.
