Reverse logistics

Smart Returns

Research carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres on behalf of Wincanton shows that over 40% of consumers return unwanted gifts after Christmas. This has a dramatic impact on warehousing and supply chain infrastructures and puts additional pressure on both retailers and their suppliers. The need to manage returns efficiently, however, extends far beyond seasonal peaks - catalogue businesses experience returns levels of around 15% throughout the year. Yet the reverse supply chain is often characterised by inefficiencies, a lack of traceability and less sophisticated processes, which can lead to operating costs that are four times higher than deliveries to store.

In response to these challenges, Wincanton has evolved a reverse logistics system that applies the same care and attention to the reverse flow as to outbound distribution. By combining transport and warehousing best practice with sophisticated software capabilities, we can offer dramatic improvements to the speed, accuracy and efficiency of returns. The system covers the complete cycle of returns and a range of options for onward processing, including:

• Collection or delivery of goods
• Receipt at the Returns Centre
• Checking to confirm compliance
• Sortation
• Collation into categories for processing via:
• Recycling
• Refurbishment
• Disposition (secondary markets)
• Return to Manufacturer
• Return to stock

Our returns management system provides advanced monitoring and reporting to drive greater levels of control over the process. Significant improvements to cash flow can also be generated by facilitating faster flows of goods and minimising the requirement for storage space. The software provides customers with essential business information, allowing them to:

• Compare returns by store or by customer
• Analyse returns by brand or by model
• Analyse faults across a product range
• Track the disposition (secondary market) routes by item or value summary

Whether the requirement is to handle warranty returns, pristine goods, or end-of-life products for recycling or sale on the secondary market, we can help reduce operating costs and streamline reverse flows. Solutions are tailored to our customers' individual requirements, and range from dedicated operations for high volumes, or shared-user hubs to provide maximum flexibility.

Wincanton's reverse logistics system also has synergies with the legislative requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive that covers end-of-life electrical goods.