Challenge: A large retailer was faced with how to handle products that were coming back from stores into the reverse-logistics channel and needed an efficient and cost-effective way to process merchandise for redeployment, return-to-vendor and liquidation.

Tom Enright, research director with Gartner, talks about his recently completed survey on the challenges that are confronting multichannel retailers today, with a particular focus on the issue of returns. He offers his view on what constitutes excellence in the returns process.

Challenge: Most hospitals utilize the just-in-time method of inventory control. If hospitals have higher than expected demand, additional supply must reach them immediately. Companies need a logistics provider that goes inside hospitals, uncrates new equipment, crates old equipment, and returns the old unit to the company regardless of the time of day.

Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, a provider of forward and reverse logistics services for a wide range of finished goods and replacement parts, is doubling the size of its distribution facility in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.