Blog: Should retailers automate the returns process?

Returns are a long-term problem for online retailers. The proportion of returned products can reach 40% in some categories, with fashion particularly affected.

Services such as Doddle, which are click and collect delivery services that have changing rooms built in are springing up in response, but while this will help speed up the returns process, it obviously won’t solve the issue. As a result, it’s worth looking into other ways of making the whole process faster and more efficient.

Data is helping to reinvigorate several areas of retail, and now the data boffins are starting to turn their problem-solving gaze towards this area too.

The concept of automating the whole returns process is a growing trend, and one that certainly seems to hold promise.

The idea is that by collecting data on the returns process, retailers will be able to spot particular issues that are leading to high levels of returns – for instance, if there is an issue with sizing, or fit or supply of a certain type of product.

It’s early days, but there is clear potential. It will be interesting to see whether using data helps reduce returns, or whether it is just another way of further complicating an already complex process.