FedEx SmartPost is offering a new way for consumers to return items to retailers, through the U.S. Postal Service. According to FedEx, customers get the convenience of USPS access points for return package pickups, by way of collection boxes, post offices and free pickup from homes or businesses. Retailers simply include a prepaid label in their original shipments, along with return instructions. After packages are picked up, they will be consolidated into larger shipments at local post offices, and picked up by FedEx for shipment to the original retailer. At the outset, the service will be available only to shippers with high return volumes, FedEx said. The option represents an expansion of an existing FedEx SmartPost offering, which relies on USPS for final-mile delivery to retailers of low-weight packages from catalogers, e-tailers and others.
