Supply Chain & Logistics: Switching Channels Offers a Better Way of Managing Returns

An effective returns management process is required to efficiently collect used and recyclable materials for subsequent lifecycles. Unfortunately, the economics of future material flows will be highly inconsistent with those found in the forward deployment of product.

Dave Blanchard

March 7, 2013

Global Macrotrends and their Impact on Supply Chain Management book

"An effective returns management process is required to efficiently collect used and recyclable materials for subsequent lifecycles. Unfortunately, the economics of future material flows will be highly inconsistent with those found in the forward deployment of product. Whereas full pallet-loads of homogeneous (similar) products are distributed in the forward channel, the reverse channel consists of odds and ends that are usually poorly contained and lack the original packaging. This will increase as customer segments diversify around the globe….

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"[R]eturn flows will be harder than ever to integrate with forward flows and often will simply be ignored by management. They can represent significant costs, however, with returns reaching as high as 40% of sales for some goods, particularly those sold online. Furthermore, returns provide closure to one lifecycle and the requirement for subsequent cycles. Strategic thinking therefore is required to manage returns.

"Given their strategic importance, wholly separate channels are often devised for returned goods. Specialized service providers [3PLs] are often called on to support the collection and flow of returned goods."

-- from "Global Macrotrends and their Impact on Supply Chain Management" Chad W. Autry, Thomas J. Goldsby and John E. Bell (FT Press, 2013)

About the Author

Dave Blanchard

Senior Director of Content

Focus: Supply Chain

Call: (941) 208-4370

Follow on Twitter @SupplyChainDave

During his career Dave Blanchard has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. He also serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2010), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its second edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.