For an eCommerce company, it is almost impossible to never face a return request when the average return rate in the industry lies somewhere between 18% to 30%. If you’re an online retailer of high-value goods, the return rate is even more alarming at 50%.
As dreadful as the data seem, the truth of the matter is that returns must be handled strategically so that you do not bear a loss. Reverse logistics is a primary process that handles the returns and exchange process. In this article, we’ll introduce you reverse logistics software that help streamline and augment your reverse logistics.
Top 5 Reverse Logistics Software for eCommerce
1. ClickPost
ClickPost is a multi-carrier reverse logistics optimization software that converts returns into a profit segment. It does so by reducing the rate of returns and bringing down associated costs. This reverse logistics software is known for increasing post-purchase satisfaction that helps lower returns arising out of a bad customer experience.
ClickPost incentivizes exchanges over returns and helps brands to transform 33% of returns into exchanges instead. Its multi-carrier integration capacity enables brands to onboard with global and domestic reverse logistics carriers. Its robust AI algorithms and API network automates the returns management, quality checks, and tracking.
ClickPost already serves brands like Zouk, Sugar and Birkenstock for increasing their supply chain efficiencies. The software has integrations with 500 carriers, supports 30+ storefronts, 45+ communication gateways, and 8 industry-leading WMS. ClickPost provides a comprehensive solution for processing, tracking, notifying and automating returns.
Features:
- Branded returns and exchange portal fitted to the brand’s return policy and customs rules.
- Real-time order tracking and customer notifications via WhatsApp, SMS, Email and IVRS.
- Quality check controls, streamlined pick-up re-attempts, and automated refund solution.
- Smart carrier allocation based on preset rules and flexible business needs and automatic return label generation.
2. Happy Returns
Happy Returns is a returns management and reverse logistics software popular for offering box-free and label-free returns. Brands like AllBirds, Shein, and Gymshark use its BORIS (Buy Online Return In-Store) amenity. With this feature, multiple businesses can consolidate their returns in-store through any of Happy Returns’ 10k+ Return Bar locations in the US.
In-store returns and exchanges though having its own challenges prevents return frauds. Coupled with in-store drop-offs, Happy Returns’ Point-Of-Sale software allows super-fast returns processing under 1 min. Not disappointing online stores, it offers a one-click exchange module on a branded exchange portal giving out store credit and other incentives.
Overall, Happy Returns gives customers enough reasons to exchange a product rather than return it. Customers looking to return a product can do so without any packaging or paying for return shipping labels at any Return Bar. This helps brands maintain a good customer experience.
Features:
- Instant refunds under 60 secs for every item.
- Product quality verification using barcodes and advanced technology.
- Accessible Returns Bar location including 5000+ The UPS Stores.
- Consolidated returns shipping that lowers operating costs for brands.
3. ReturnGo
As a reverse logistics software, ReturnGo has created a name in the market for incorporating sustainability into returns management features. It reduces at least 15% carbon footprint in reverse logistics. It partners with LiquiDonate to help brands implement in-kind donations of unsellable returned items. It also enables brands to measure their ESG impact.
One of the major highlights of ReturnGo is its return and exchange portal featuring best-in-class tools used by companies like Tupperware and Forever21. For one, it’s fully customizable to the brand’s identity and directly embeds into 9+ storefronts. It also supports multiple languages and currencies for convenient refunds.
ReturnGo also helps brands design an optimal customer experience that prioritizes exchanges with an easy in-portal exchange workflow. It completely syncs with in-stock items at 3PLs and gives the option to reserve any items for exchange. It gives businesses the ability to offer exchange to a more expensive item or multiple items in cases of sale items, bundles, etc.
Features:
- Helps build customer return policies and exchanges for different customer segments.
- Enables in-portal quality validation through image and video uploads, and multiple questions.
- Supports international returns, box-free returns, reverse pick-ups and COD returns.
- Automation services like automatic approval, return label creation, and tracking.
4. ReturnLogic
ReturnLogic is another reverse logistics software that vows to provide a profitable returns experience for brands and customers. Trusted by brands like Charix and Dossier, this software is known to make returns management a simplified process.
All of its amenities can be categorized to provide automation technology, visibility enhancement, and data-driven analysis for smart business decisions. Like others in this list, ReturnLogic emphasizes on improving shoppers’ experience using incentives for exchange and warranty management.
It offers a handy warranty processing approach. Customers can place their warranty claims on a branded portal that configures to the brand’s policy. For out-of-stock or discounted items, brands can give out warranty replacements instead. It comes pre-integrated with 25+ eCommerce channels, 3PLs, and helpdesk services.
Features:
- Supports BigCommerce and Shopify returns management.
- Get visibility of return orders with 3PLs and warehouses.
- Works with shipping carrier aggregators for easy pickups.
- Offers bonus credits and visually de-emphasize refunds to boost exchanges.
5. AfterShip
AfterShip is a dual combination of post-purchase enhancement and reverse logistics software solution. It’s known for its well-built tracking and marketing characteristics. Its tracking module includes a branded portal, multi-language support and EDD insertion. Its marketing amenities revolve around personalized product offerings via emails and SMS.
Coming to its reverse logistics system, AfterShip provides return order pickups through 23 global carriers. Additionally, it integrates with 30+ eCommerce sales channels and 5 3PLs for swift returns/exchange processing. It also has 49 technology partners onboarded for assisting with branded customer notifications, order management, and RMA.
AfterShip’s warranty and returns management is a popular service used by brands like Marc Nolan and Aetrex. It offers omnichannel warranty support, automated shipping label generation, and warranty claims for repair, and replacement. Every warranty can be managed from a single dashboard.
Features:
- AI-enabled fraud detection and fraud risk assessment at the time of checkout.
- Partial returns in cases of bundle purchases and offers in-store plus instant exchanges.
- Branded returns portal and automatic notification triggers in multiple languages.
- Return labels for multi-package items and return order tracking from its mobile app and dashboard.
5 Reasons Why Need A Reverse Logistics Software
A study by Ecommerce Fastlane has found that a 5% decrease in return rate and associated costs can increase your business’ net margins by 200 basis points. There is a real correlation between streamlining returns management and a healthy balance sheet.
Reverse logistics covers all facets of returns like processing returns for customers, transportation, remanufacturing or refurbishment including recycling, repurposing, and reselling. Taking this into account some reverse logistics software also offer re-commerce opportunities.
A reverse logistics software takes a lead in economizing returns, lowering customer dissatisfaction, reducing wastes, and enhancing pickup efficiency. Without further ado, let’s quickly check the 5 benefits of using a reverse logistics software:-
1. Make Returns into a Profit Center:
Cuts down on costs involved in manual RMA (Returns Material Authorization) processing using eCommerce automation for refunds, tracking, and more.
2. Enable Omnichannel Returns and Exchanges:
Provides the dual benefits of in-store pickups and drop offs for returns and instant exchange in retail outlets.
3. Enhance Reverse Logistics using Tracking:
Uses advanced technologies to monitor return orders and promotes supply chain efficiency by giving transparency of 3PL operations for returned items.
4. Ensure Customer Satisfaction:
Helps increase the Net Promoter Score for brands using branded portals, custom notifications, and warranty management.
5. Promote Exchanges Over Returns:
Gives customers incentives to choose exchange in place of returns using approaches like in-store credits, full-catalog product exchanges, etc.
Conclusion
The core of the reverse logistics process lies in returns management that every eCommerce company in India wishes to optimize. In this quest, reverse logistics software is the primary tool that helps brands provide a seamless customer experience with return and exchanges.
They use on-time tracking, branding, personalized communication, automation features, and multiple carriers to bring a holistic reverse logistics system. We hope that our list of top reverse logistics software will help businesses be ahead of their competitors.