Whether it's a toy, automobile, medical device or food item, not a day goes by without news of another product recall. Unfortunately, recalls are a reality of the global economy and it truly is a matter of when, not if, a company will be impacted by one. Navigating a product recall tests customer relationships, puts pressure on the supply chain, affects sales and can paint brands in an unfavorable light. Given the serious nature of these and other recall execution challenges, it's critical that organizations have a recall plan in place long before an event occurs.
Challenge: A major engine manufacturer was spending too much money on contingent packing costs because their suppliers weren't keeping track of the containers in their inventory loop. When this customer would run out of the supplier's containers, they had to use alternatives like corrugated cardboard in order to ship the product.
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.
Lack of innovation over the past few decades around how organizations approach disposing of their returned, excess and obsolete inventory has resulted in billions of dollars lost and can no longer be left to inefficient, reactive or outdated methods.
As most shoppers have experienced, ordering clothes online can occasionally be a shot in the dark – not every item fits the way they'd hoped, nor does every color match the description exactly. This not only annoys consumers, but also retailers when those disgruntled customers send their unwanted items back.
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.
Barcodes are indispensable for the exchange of vital data. It's time we recognized the important contribution that barcode printers make to the success of a company's supply chain – and to its bottom line.
The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding reverse logistics and its impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are refurbishing and recycling more goods and managing more product returns than ever before thanks, in part, to the boom in e-commerce. New technologies for reverse fulfillment are transforming the way companies provide customer support - and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As these services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using reverse logistics solutions to power their supply chains.
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