Market Trends of US Reverse Logistics Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the US Reverse Logistics Market according to our research experts:
Growth in E-commerce and Technology Propels the Demand for Efficient Return Logistics
The rapid growth in e-commerce is one of the major drivers of the forward and reverse logistics in the United States. In 2017, the online retail sales in the United States reached USD 453.5 billion, registering a growth rate of 16%, from USD 390 billion in 2016. The physical retail stores sales increased by 3.4%. The online retail sales accounted for 8.9% of the total retail sales, in 2017. The continuing surge of e-commerce was fueling a rise in the number of packages returned. As e-commerce grabs a greater share of the retail market, the overall retail return rate may continue to climb, especially the rate of goods returned via shipping, adding pressure to the entire reverse supply chain.
Technology is also playing a crucial role in other segments of the reverse supply chain. One popular software provider is Optoro, which combines historical pricing and individual product data into an algorithm that tells companies where they should route each return item, to the most profitable disposition path for a return, i.e., resale, liquidation, repair, recycling, or something else. Optoro claims that its smart routing dramatically improves the profitability of returned inventory.
Growing Popularity for Omnichannel Returns
Another growing trend is the omnichannel returns, in which merchants are making returns more convenient, by allowing consumers to return online items in physical locations. BORIS returns (buy online and return in store) not only save merchants the cost of first-mile return shipping, but also encourage additional purchases. According to a UPS survey, 66% of online shoppers made a new purchase when returning in store, compared to 44% when returning online. In addition to being better for retailers, 58% of e-commerce shoppers preferred to make returns at brick-and-mortar stores rather than mail them. Moreover, despite this preference, the shoppers are much more likely to ship their e-commerce returns than bring them to a store. Delivery companies are also expanding physical access points in high-population areas. Recently, Walgreens agreed to provide FedEx package pickup and delivery service at 7,500 stores. UPS Access Point offers services through a network of 4,000 locations, such as dry cleaners and convenience stores. Happy Returns is a startup that collects and aggregates loose return items at kiosks in malls or stores. It provides online-only retailers with a physical channel for collecting returns. Retailers save on shipping, customers get their refunds immediately and avoid the hassle of packing their item, and malls get additional foot traffic.
