Inside Retail

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

As economic pressures persist and competition increases, customer expectations for shipping and delivery grow. Shippit’s latest State of Shipping Report for 2024 offers a comprehensive look into current trends and challenges facing retailers, shedding light on how businesses can adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment.

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Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 12, 2023

After a successful trial, Petco is expanding its partnership with PayPal -owned reverse logistics solution Happy Returns to all its stores nationwide. Petco customers can now bring ecommerce orders they need to return with them while running errands for their pets, with no box or shipping label required.

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Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 10, 2023

DoorDash has introduced Package Pickup, allowing consumers across the country to have the service deliver up to five return items per trip to UPS, FedEx or the USPS. Consumers can attach prepaid shipping labels to their returns or send a shipping QR code directly to their “Dasher” via the DoorDash app. “We

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Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 3, 2024

Long viewed as a necessary evil, the retail returns process is emerging as an unexpected avenue for growth and customer engagement. In the rapidly expanding ecommerce market, projected to reach $3 billion in 2023, a significant 20% to 30% of online purchases end up being returned. Speed-to-restock is key in the returns cycle.

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Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 21, 2023

GoodwillFinds — the online ecommerce platform of the 120 -year-old nonprofit Goodwill — has teamed up with return assurance platform Seel to better “compete with other digital resale websites” by offering returns. The return assurance allows them to make a seamless, hassle-free return within seven days.

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Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 3, 2024

For anyone who has made a purchase online, returns are part of the standard online buying process — so much so that, according to a recent U.S. Consumer Study , 85% of consumers check a company’s returns policy before even making a purchase when shopping online, and 68% of U.S. That same report identified the top aspects that U.S.

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Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Online return fraud cost U.S. For every $100 in returned merchandise accepted, U.S. to return fraud, the NRF has calculated. While it is possible for shoppers to commit return fraud innocently simply by mis-reading the returns policy, a significant number of returns are the result of premeditation and malicious intent.

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Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 25, 2022

It might seem counterintuitive for retailers to focus on returns when they are so focused on trying to convince customers to buy products in the first place (and rightly so). However, return policies actually have a major influence on whether shoppers go through with a transaction — particularly for increasingly popular online purchases.

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Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 1, 2021

The pandemic has brought about long-term changes for both business operations and consumer expectations, and 2021 taught us how far removed we are from ever returning to the old “normal.” Shipping and delivery will continue to play a major role in how retailers, both small and large, perform and provide effective customer experiences.

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Retail TouchPoints

JULY 21, 2022

As a result, many retailers are seeking to scale up their selection through models like drop ship and marketplace. But while these approaches can help reduce the supply chain costs of stocking and shipping millions of single items, they also have many retailers questioning their roles. The truth is, it’s not an “either-or” proposition.

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Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 9, 2023

Marking a significant shift in ThredUp ’s value proposition to consumers, the resale marketplace testing out a number of new initiatives to improve its margins, including new return policies and fees for its “cleanout kit” consignment services. In addition to increasing the “restocking fee” for returnable items from $1.99

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Inside Retail

JUNE 1, 2023

Growing consumer expectations of free delivery and free returns are placing pressure on retailers who on one hand recognise customer demand, but on the other are trying to reduce their operating costs. Others might order two or three sizes of the same item and return the ones that don’t fit. “It’s

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Inside Retail

MARCH 19, 2024

Tara Daly, senior director of product marketing at Loop Returns , shares with Inside Retail advice on getting started in the US market, some tips on cross-border shipping and logistics – including managing returns in a way that builds customer loyalty – and how to drive repeat business. Begin with baby steps, she advocates.

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Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 14, 2023

Returns are, like it or not, as much a part of retail operations as the sales themselves. The exact return rate varies among different verticals and individual retailers, but online sales consistently generate higher levels of returns compared to brick-and-mortar. That means you’re out of business.

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Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 6, 2024

Retail’s busiest returns period may be in the rearview mirror until next year, but rising ecommerce order volumes have caused returns management to become an aspect of ecommerce and omnichannel business that warrants a dedicated year-round strategy. Returns are a major cost of doing retail business of any kind, but especially online.

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Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 10, 2022

The other complicating factor is you’ve got consumers who are incredibly aware of the supply chain, inventory and shipping challenges that are out there. 22, a 10% increase over last year, and retailers need to prepare themselves for the share of shoppers who prefer to make their returns at a brick-and-mortar store.

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Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 5, 2021

In fact, the impacts of the most unique holiday in decades are still being felt: retailers should plan for continued shipping delays in the short term, and also continue to refine their omnichannel operations as they prepare for the rest of 2021. Contactless Services Can Soothe the Bite of Remote Returns. 11 through Dec. 1 through Dec.

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Retail TouchPoints

MAY 2, 2022

Much of this impact comes from shipping and warehousing, as well as from operating all those computer servers to facilitate all of those sales. Mitigating Returns. Product returns in particular represent a huge portion of the negative impact that ecommerce has on the environment.

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Inside Retail

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

But while a retreat from online sales was predicted, the speed and scale of shoppers returning to bricks-and-mortar stores was less anticipated. A research report states that 61 per cent of consumers are likely to spend more in a store, and 90 per cent are more likely to return, if they have a positive in-store experience.

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Retail TouchPoints

JULY 23, 2024

Ryan Kelly, VP of Marketing at FedEx, refers to himself as a “supply chain geek with a contrarian streak” who loves to talk “fulfillment, returns and consumer shopping behaviors with anyone who will listen.” From what we’ve seen, most of these brands still have to use fragmented and inefficient shipping solutions across multiple platforms.

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Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 26, 2021

With so much change happening so quickly and so unpredictably, we at Pitney Bowes decided that returning to an 8 th edition of our annual consumer research study wasn’t going to cut it, so instead we moved to a weekly poll of consumer sentiment in Q4 called BOXpoll. One-third think seven-day free shipping is ‘acceptable.’ on average.

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Inside Retail

AUGUST 14, 2024

Online shopping delivery lead times are getting longer – and getting more expensive – according to research from shipping software developer Shippit. The company’s State of Shipping Report found that the estimated delivery time has risen from two days in 2018 to 5.6 Concurrently, the cost of standard shipping grew from $9 to $10.26

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Inside Retail

MAY 29, 2024

For most retailers selling online, returns generate their greatest customer service challenges and inevitably drain profitability. A seamless returns experience is now a baseline expectation for customers,” explains Daly. The Shopify-backed company has more than 250 employees and oversees 2 million returns per month.

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Inside Retail

MAY 29, 2024

For most retailers selling online, returns generate their greatest customer service challenges and inevitably drain profitability. A seamless returns experience is now a baseline expectation for customers,” explains Daly. The Shopify-backed company has more than 250 employees and oversees 2 million returns per month.

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Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 6, 2023

To succeed in the holiday peak season and ensure seamless fulfillment, deliveries, and returns, it’s essential for these partners to monitor key metrics, analyze operational data and maintain communication. 4: Return rates. Returns are an inevitable part of retail. Consider the following six metrics as North Star indicators.

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Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 25, 2024

As ecommerce sales continue to grow, so does the focus on logistics, enabling retailers to meet the rising demand for shipping. This also extends to collaborations with shipping couriers, providing access to competitive shipping rates and improved delivery times. It should come as no surprise that the U.S. trillion in 2029.

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Retail TouchPoints

MAY 27, 2024

Revisit return policies to ensure they are customer-centric and accessible for shoppers, including time to return orders and choice of locations. I hate to pay to return an order, and the more options I have for making my return, the happier I will be. Return dynamics are top-of-mind for online shoppers.

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Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 2, 2021

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. More Online Sales Means More Returns.

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Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Seeking to compete with ultra-low-price sites such as Shein and Temu , Amazon has introduced Amazon Haul , featuring maximum prices of $20 and one- to two-week shipping times. There have been rumors of the move for months, and now the new shop is officially rolling out in beta. It will be available to U.S.

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Inside Retail

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Building a future-proof tech stack To survive and thrive during Black Friday, retailers must invest in tech solutions that integrate seamlessly with their current systems – inventory management, CRMs, and shipping tools. Optimising shipping with automation Shipping logistics are a make-or-break factor during Black Friday.

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Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

True Classic ’s use of the ParcelLab post-purchase experience and returns management solution has helped the T-shirt and activewear brand boost its email click-through rate (CTR) and open rate by 1.87% and 6.55% respectively compared to the brand’s previous provider.

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Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 21, 2022

Additionally, the NRF Innovation Lab showcased 55 companies displaying everything from autonomous delivery robots and drones to reusable shipping and delivery packaging, 3D, AR and livestreaming solutions. Leadership Lessons.

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Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 11, 2024

While this longer shopping season may benefit the consumer, it also poses sales tax complications for retailers that can last well into the new year when return season strikes. Complex Returns The holiday shopping season starts earlier than ever but it also ends later than ever for retailers that must handle a high volume of returns.

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Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 3, 2024

When opening an account on the Baby Registry, consumers can confirm where gifts should be shipped, track the baby’s expected arrival date, customize a welcome message for loved ones and start selecting products to add to their lists. The registry’s return is Kohl’s latest move spotlighting how it is serving families at key life stages.

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Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 27, 2023

Smarter Shipping Options Transport is a large component of the ecommerce footprint. Reduce the Impact of Returns Returns are a net negative for everyone. They require extra effort from customers, cost companies return shipping fees and increase the returned item’s carbon footprint.

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Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Through the connection with Omni, the Maven chatbot is able to handle a broad range of customer inquiries directly, including complex requests such as shipping status, order changes, cancellations, returns and exchanges.

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Retail TouchPoints

JUNE 15, 2023

The solution aims to give retailers the ability to monitor orders in real time across all stages of the fulfillment process, with the goal of making it easy for customer support teams to answer shopper questions about shipment progress and the status of their returns.

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