A Guide to Reverse Logistics: How It Works, Types, and Strategies

mark599704
Oct 17
19 min read

Reverse logistics is the opposite of a normal supply chain. In a regular supply chain, products move from the manufacturer to the customer. In reverse logistics, goods move back from the customer to the manufacturer or seller. This process includes returns, repairs, recycling, and disposal. It is an important part of supply chain management. Products may be returned because they are damaged, recalled, out of season, overstocked, or no longer needed.

What Is Reverse Logistics?

Reverse logistics is part of supply chain management. It focuses on moving goods from the customer back to the seller or manufacturer. Once a customer gets a product, processes like returns, repairs, or recycling use reverse logistics.

This process starts with the end consumer and moves backward through the supply chain from the customer to the distributor or from the distributor to the manufacturer. Reverse logistics can also include when the customer handles the product’s final disposal, such as recycling, refurbishing, or reselling it.

Why Do Companies Use Reverse Logistics?

Companies use reverse logistics when products move back through the supply chain from the customer to the seller or even to the supplier. The main goal is to get value back from the product or dispose of it properly.

According to the IHL Group, global returns reached $1.8 trillion in 2022. This number has more than doubled in less than ten years. The growth of online shopping has made returns even more common. The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that 17.6% ($247 billion) of online purchases are returned, compared to 10% ($371 billion) for in-store purchases.

The main purpose of reverse logistics is to recover value and keep customers coming back. Smart companies use it to build trust, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce losses from returns.

Reverse Logistics Examples

Around the world, many companies are changing how they handle waste and supply chain management. Managing returns, exchanges, replacements, and recycling has become essential to meet customer expectations and improve sustainability. The best way to see the value of reverse logistics is by looking at real-world examples of companies that have successfully added returns, recycling, and reuse into their supply chain processes. These examples show how reverse logistics can save money, reduce waste, and build stronger customer relationships.

Easing the Pain of Online Returns

Customers are more likely to buy from a company if returning products is simple. They are also more likely to shop again after a good return experience. Home Depot understands this, especially for online shoppers. To make returns easy, the company offers reverse logistics support for e-commerce orders. Home Depot’s online sales increased from 10% of all sales in 2019 to 14.8% in 2023, and they continue to grow in 2024. When customers return items, they can either print a shipping label and send them back or drop them off in-store.

Returned items go to Home Depot’s reverse logistics centers, which also handle damaged and misdirected products. These centers make sure materials like metals, hard plastics, shrink wrap, EPS foam packaging, and CFCs from appliances are properly recycled. This efficient reverse logistics system helps Home Depot reduce waste, recover value, and improve the customer experience.

Integrating In-Person Returns

Retail giant Kohl’s, which operates nearly 1,200 stores across the U.S., offers a great example of reverse logistics in action. The company launched The Return Drop at more than 1,100 store locations to make returns easier for customers.

Here’s how it works

After starting a return online, shoppers can select “Kohl’s Drop Off” and receive a QR code. They then bring the item and code to a Kohl’s store no box or shipping label needed. Kohl’s has also expanded its partnership with Amazon, allowing customers to return Amazon orders directly at Kohl’s stores. The retailer screens and ships all returns together in one shipment, improving efficiency.

This system helps customers enjoy fast, simple returns while Kohl’s benefits from increased store traffic and potential new sales.

Whittling Away at Waste

Many global brands are now using reverse logistics to tackle waste and promote sustainable packaging practices. One growing approach is the adoption of reusable or refillable packaging that customers can return, clean, and reuse significantly reducing single-use waste.

For example, PepsiCo announced a global packaging goal in 2022 to double the proportion of beverage servings sold in refillable models, from 10% to 20% by 2030. Similarly, Nestlé aims to make 100% of its packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025, with 87% already meeting that standard. Nestlé has also invested in innovative refill systems, such as a refillable pet food program in Chile, allowing consumers to reuse containers rather than dispose of them.

These initiatives show how reverse logistics can reduce environmental impact, cut packaging waste, and support circular economy goals, all while strengthening brand reputation for sustainability.

Embracing Recommerce

The concept of recommerce, refurbishing, repairing, and reselling pre-owned or end-of-life products, is gaining momentum as businesses embrace sustainability and circular economy principles. Companies like GE Healthcare and Cisco are leading the way. Cisco refurbishes and resells equipment such as phones, routers, and switches, while GE Healthcare applies similar processes to imaging devices and ultrasound machines. These refurbished items are restored to high-quality standards, extending their usability and reducing waste.

According to business consultancy Baufest, recommerce is expanding due to a growing emphasis on social and environmental responsibility. This approach not only helps companies reduce their ecological footprint but also maximizes the lifetime value of products through reconditioning and value enhancement. Ultimately, recommerce supports both profitability and sustainability, turning returned or outdated goods into renewed revenue opportunities. Find more examples of how companies are making returns work for them with reverse logistics.

Boosting Sustainability

Clothing brand Levi Strauss uses reverse logistics to make its products and operations more sustainable. The company takes back old jeans and either repurposes them or recycles the fabric fibers to create raw materials for making new jeans. By working with partner companies that specialize in repurposing textiles, Levi Strauss can turn old denim into new, stylish reconstructed jeans. These jeans often sell at a higher price point, adding more value while reducing waste. This approach not only supports environmental sustainability but also helps Levi Strauss save resources, cut production costs, and strengthen its eco-friendly brand image.

Reverse Logistics vs. Traditional Logistics

In a traditional supply chain, products move forward from suppliers to factories or distributors, then to retailers and finally to customers. Reverse logistics works the other way around. It starts with the customer and moves products back through the supply chain. A well-designed supply chain can adapt to changes and handle some reverse logistics needs. Products may go one step back, return to the original supplier, or even be sent to resale or discount outlets such as liquidators.

Types of Reverse Logistics

There are several types of reverse logistics, also called components of reverse logistics. They mainly focus on how returns are managed and on return policies and procedures (RPP). Some types deal with remanufacturing, packaging, unsold products, and delivery problems. Others handle product leases, repairs, and when a product reaches the end of its life and must be retired.

Returns management

This process handles customer product returns or helps prevent them in the first place. It should be quick, easy to control, and transparent. Customers often judge a company by how smooth its return process is. A return happens when a returned product is sent back again. For example, a customer buys a clearance item that was previously returned, takes it home, and finds it broken. While the store might not usually take it back, it may still offer store credit for the damaged product. Re-returns can also happen when a vendor refuses a return and sends it back to the buyer without a refund. This often occurs with custom-made products.

Remanufacturing or Refurbishment

This type of reverse logistics focuses on repairing, rebuilding, or improving returned products. Companies may take usable parts from other products, a process called cannibalization of parts, to create working items again. Reconditioning involves taking products apart, cleaning them, replacing worn parts, and putting them back together so they function like new.

Packaging Management

This type of reverse logistics focuses on reusing packaging materials to cut down on waste and lower disposal costs. It involves collecting, cleaning, and reusing boxes, containers, or pallets whenever possible to make the supply chain more sustainable and cost-efficient.

End-of-Life (EOL)

When a product reaches its end-of-life, it is no longer useful or functional. It might not meet customer needs anymore or has been replaced by a newer model. Manufacturers usually recycle, reuse parts, or safely dispose of these products. Managing EOL goods properly helps reduce environmental impact and supports sustainable practices.

Delivery Failure

When a delivery fails, the driver sends the product back to a sorting center. From there, the product is returned to its original location. In some cases, sorting centers have teams that find out why the delivery failed, fix the issue, and attempt delivery again.

Unsold Goods

Reverse logistics for unsold goods manages the return of products from retailers back to manufacturers or distributors. These returns often happen because of low sales, outdated inventory, or when retailers refuse delivery due to excess stock or damaged goods.

Return Policy and Procedure (RPP)

A company’s return policy and procedure (RPP) explains how customers can return products. These rules must be clear, easy to find, and applied the same way for everyone. Employees should also follow these policies carefully to keep the process fair and consistent.

Repairs and Maintenance

Some agreements require the company or customer to repair or maintain products when problems occur. In many cases, companies fix damaged returned products and then resell them to other customers.

Rentals and Leasing

When equipment reaches the end of its rental or lease term, the owning company can choose to reuse, recycle, or resell it. This helps reduce waste and recover value from the product.

The Reverse Logistics Process (Simplified)

The reverse logistics process handles product returns, surplus materials, leases, and refurbishments. The steps can look different depending on the industry, but the main goal is to recover value and reduce waste.

Example 1 – Beverage Industry

In beverage production, reverse logistics focuses on collecting and reusing empty containers, such as kegs or bottles. Companies save money by cleaning and refilling them instead of buying new ones. This process requires good planning for transport, storage, and cleaning.

Example 2 – Construction Industry

In construction, reverse logistics helps move and reuse salvaged materials. As sustainability becomes more important, using recycled materials from one site to another can cut costs and reduce waste.

Example 3 – Food Industry

In the food sector, reverse logistics handles the return of packaging, pallets, and rejected shipments. These returns can cause delays and spoilage risks. To address this, companies are testing Secure, Quick, Reliable Login (SQRL) codes on packaging. These digital codes give detailed product information, helping improve tracking and reduce logistical problems.

Manage Reverse Logistics with Warehouse Management Software

Generally, the reverse logistics process follows these five steps:

Process the Return

The return process starts when the consumer signals they want to return a product. This step should include return authorization and identify the product’s condition. This process also involves scheduling return shipments, approving refunds and replacing faulty goods.

Identify the Return

When a returned product reaches your facility or processing center, inspect it carefully and decide its return category. If your reverse logistics system is well-organized, you should already know the item’s next step before it arrives. Sort the returned products into one of the following categories: repair, resell as new, resell as returned, recycle, scrap, or refurbish. This helps streamline processing, recover value, and reduce waste.

Keep the Return in Motion

The less time any returned items spend in limbo, the more efficient and cost-effective reverse logistics will be. That means setting up the process so that the return is in constant motion toward its next stop. Products in need of repair should be sent straight to that department, for example, and those that can be recycled should be shuttled to the proper place. Moving returned items from point to point as quickly as possible maximizes capacity and reduces waste and wasted time.

Recycle

If a product or part can’t be repaired, reused, or resold, recycling is the next best option. Sustainability is now a top priority for most businesses, so it’s important to handle recycling or disposal properlyespecially for hazardous items like batteries, electronics, or screens. Many companies partner with certified recycling or waste management firms to safely process and dispose of such materials, reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible business practices.

Repair

After inspection, if a returned item or piece of equipment is found to be fixable, send it to the repair department. Once repaired, it can often be resold or reused. If the product cannot be fixed, the company can recover and sell any usable parts instead of discarding the entire item.

Reverse Logistics Performance: Measuring the Five “R’s”

To measure how well a company’s reverse logistics system is working, businesses can track performance using the five “R’s”: returns and exchanges, repackaging and reselling, repairs, recycling and disposal, and replacements.

By setting clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for each category, companies can see which parts of their process are effective and which need improvement. This helps identify cost-saving opportunities, improve customer satisfaction, and ensure that reverse logistics runs efficiently. Continuous tracking and refinement lead to better resource use, reduced waste, and stronger overall supply chain performance.

Returns and Exchanges

A key KPI for returns and exchanges is the return rate. Some returns are inevitable, but too many can hurt a business. High return rates often signal product quality problems or customer dissatisfaction. Common causes include unclear product descriptions, damaged goods, or late deliveries. Tracking this KPI helps companies find and solve these issues to reduce costs and improve customer trust.

Reselling and Repackaging

An important KPI for this area is the percentage of returned products that can be repackaged and resold. Even though reverse logistics comes with costs, reselling returned items helps recover part of those losses. The higher this percentage, the better the company is at managing returns efficiently and turning potential waste into profit.

Repairs

Manufacturers and retailers should track the total cost of product repairs or refurbishment to make sure the process stays profitable. If repair costs become too high or continue to rise, it’s a sign that the repair process needs improvement. Streamlining repairs, using reusable parts, or improving product quality can help reduce costs and protect profit margins.

Recycling and Disposal

Many companies now set specific goals for recycling and responsible disposal of returned products or components. Tracking the percentage of returned materials that are recycled or properly disposed of helps measure progress toward sustainability targets. Meeting these goals not only reduces waste but also supports corporate social responsibility and environmental compliance.

Replacements

Sometimes, returned products are defective and need partial or full replacement. Tracking the percentage of sold products that require replacements helps identify possible product-quality problems. In some cases, the issue may not be with the product itself but with customer understanding or assembly, meaning better instructions or support could reduce unnecessary replacements.

How Does the Reverse Logistics Process Create Value?

Reverse logistics helps businesses recover value from returned products instead of treating them as losses. In 2022, U.S. consumers returned 14.5% of all purchases, costing retailers about $743 billion in lost revenue, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). A well-managed reverse logistics system can reduce those losses or even turn them into profits.

This process creates value in several ways:

Builds customer trust and satisfaction: Easy and reliable return processes improve the customer experience and encourage repeat purchases.
Recovers value from products: Returned items can be resold, reused, repaired, or recycled, turning potential waste into new revenue.
Supports sustainability efforts: Recycling and refurbishing products reduce environmental impact and promote corporate responsibility.
Lowers storage and distribution costs: Efficient reverse logistics keeps inventory moving and prevents warehouses from filling with unsellable goods.

As more customers expect hassle-free returns, the reverse logistics industry continues to grow. The global market size, valued at $768.59 billion in 2023, is expected to reach $1.17 trillion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. Whether managed separately or integrated with forward logistics, a strong reverse logistics process improves supply chain efficiency, enhances profitability, and supports sustainable business growth.

Benefits of Optimized Reverse Logistics

Optimized reverse logistics bring both financial and environmental benefits to a business. By improving how products are handled after delivery, companies can save money, keep customers happy, and reduce waste.

One major advantage of a strong reverse logistics system is the valuable data it provides. When companies collect and analyze product and customer data from returns, they gain insights into supply chain performance, product quality, and customer preferences, all of which can help improve future operations and the overall experience. An optimized reverse logistics process also increases visibility across the supply chain, leading to several key benefits:

Cost reduction: Lower handling, transportation, and storage costs for returned goods.
Greater customer satisfaction: Easier return and exchange processes build trust and loyalty.
Better customer retention: Happy customers are more likely to buy again.
Faster, better service: Streamlined processes shorten turnaround times for repairs or replacements.
Loss reduction: Effective management of returns minimizes waste and prevents unnecessary losses.
Improved brand sentiment: Responsible return policies strengthen brand reputation.
Waste reduction and sustainability: Recycling, refurbishing, and reusing materials support environmental goals.

In short, optimizing reverse logistics helps businesses save money, strengthen customer relationships, and build a more sustainable future.

7 Strategies to Optimize Reverse Logistics

To make reverse logistics faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective, businesses need clear strategies that focus on policies, partnerships, data, transportation, and automation. Below are seven key strategies to help optimize reverse logistics operations:

1. Evaluate Policies and Agreements

Review your company’s return and repair procedures regularly. Make sure they are clear, fair, and easy to follow for both customers and employees. Analyze the main reasons for returns or repairs, and update policies to reduce them. Strong return and repair policies can even become a competitive advantage.

2. Collaborate with Suppliers

Work closely with your suppliers and partners to create a smooth and unified returns process. Collaboration ensures customers experience a consistent and hassle-free return journey, which helps build trust and loyalty.

3. Use Data to Optimize Processes

Collect and analyze data on product returns to understand the root causes. Are products being returned due to defects, poor descriptions, or shipping issues? Use these insights to improve product design, quality control, and customer service and to reduce future returns.

4. Track Products Forward and Backward

Create a tracking system that links raw materials, finished goods, and customer orders. This visibility allows you to quickly identify and isolate issues, such as defective batches, for targeted recalls instead of recalling entire product lines.

5. Centralize Return Centers

Establish a centralized return center to handle returned goods efficiently. This allows your team to inspect, sort, and decide the next steps, whether to repair, resell, or recycle more effectively. If a full return center isn’t possible, dedicate a specific section of your warehouse or factory for handling returns.

6. Examine Logistics and Transportation

Regularly review how your forward and reverse logistics operations interact. Look for ways to combine routes or reduce trips. For example, delivery drivers could pick up returned or empty pallets while delivering new ones, saving both time and transportation costs.

7. Automate with Technology

Adopt cloud-based logistics software to simplify and speed up reverse logistics. These systems can track asset recovery, manage repairs or refurbishments, and offer valuable business insights. Automation helps reduce manual errors and improves efficiency across the entire process.

How Does Reverse Logistics Impact Supply Chain Management?

Reverse logistics plays a key role in improving supply chain efficiency. It helps businesses manage the backward flow of goods, such as returns, repairs, or recycling. When handled well, reverse logistics can lower supply chain costs and recover product value.

However, a sudden increase in product returns can add pressure to the supply chain. This can raise costs for storage, transportation, and handling, which may reduce overall profitability. That’s why optimizing reverse logistics is essential, it helps balance costs, improve operations, and keep customers satisfied.

What Is Reverse Logistics vs. Reverse Supply Chain?

The reverse supply chain focuses on the movement of goods backward through the supply chain. This includes sending defective or unsold products from retailers or consumers back to distributors, suppliers, or manufacturers. It’s the opposite of the traditional flow, where goods move from the manufacturer to the end customer.

Reverse logistics, on the other hand, covers everything that happens after a return including the processes, systems, and strategies used to handle returned products. This includes inspection, repair, resale, recycling, or disposal.

In short:

Reverse supply chain = movement of goods back through the chain.
Reverse logistics = how those returned goods are managed efficiently and cost-effectively.

Monitoring Reverse Logistics in Your Supply Chain

Monitoring reverse logistics helps companies improve how they handle, process, and dispose of returned products. Tracking how goods move backward and forward through the supply chain provides valuable data that can enhance efficiency and performance.

This data allows companies to identify issues, reduce delays, and improve overall delivery accuracy. For some organizations, the goal is simply on-time delivery. Others aim for the “perfect order” where every order meets exact standards for timing, location, condition, packaging, quantity, documentation, customer satisfaction, and invoicing.

To achieve this, businesses must analyze reverse logistics data, set measurable targets, and continuously refine their processes. When monitored effectively, reverse logistics doesn’t just handle returns; it strengthens the entire supply chain and supports a smoother, more reliable customer experience.

5 Key Reverse Logistics Supply Chain Metrics to Monitor

There are five important metrics that focus on reverse logistics and can help businesses recover more value from returned products. Tracking these metrics allows companies to see how well their reverse logistics process is performing.

Using supply chain analytics helps management make data-driven decisions at every stage of the process, from returns and repairs to recycling and resale. By monitoring these key metrics, companies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and get the most out of their assets.

Financial Value

Every stage of the supply chain holds economic value. Knowing how much your company invests and gains at each step helps identify where money is being made or lost. This insight allows businesses to improve efficiency, cut unnecessary costs, and maximize profits throughout the reverse logistics process.

Errors

Mistakes can happen at any point in the supply chain, for example, defective materials, rejected deliveries, or incorrect shipments. Tracking the frequency and cost of these errors helps businesses find weak spots and take action to reduce waste, delays, and financial losses. Regular reviews can lead to stronger processes and smoother operations.

Volume

The volume of returned products that are later resold, reused, or recycled is one of the most important metrics in reverse logistics. Tracking this helps companies see how much value they are recovering from returns. It also helps identify missed opportunities or problem areas in the process. By analyzing this data, businesses can find ways to improve efficiency and reduce waste in their reverse logistics operations.

Percent of Costs

This metric measures how much of your total supply chain cost is tied to resales, refurbishing, reuse, and recycling. It helps you see the financial impact of reverse logistics activities compared to the overall cost of handling returns. By calculating the percentage of expenses recovered for each item, companies can identify which recovery methods are most cost-effective and where they may be losing money.

Condition of Returned Products

Returned products vary in condition; some can be resold immediately, while others may need repairs or refurbishing. Companies should assess the state of each returned item to decide the best next step. Items in perfect condition can go back to regular sales, while refurbished goods might be sold through secondary channels, such as discount or outlet stores. It’s important to calculate the cost of repairs, materials, and labor to understand the true recovery value. Tracking the percentage of products sent to each sales channel helps determine if the company is earning enough value back from returns.

The Future of Reverse Logistics

The future of reverse logistics is all about minimizing disruptions from an increasing volume of returns, especially in e-commerce, where it is expected to reach $931.85 billion in the U.S. in 2024 and $1 trillion by 2027, according to eMarketer. At the same time, customers expect a straightforward and simple returns process. Call it the Amazon effect, but shoppers will walk away from unfriendly return policies: Approximately eight in 10 U.S. adult digital shoppers said they review return policies before making a first-time purchase, and more than half (55%) will abandon their carts if return policies aren’t convenient, according to a Happy Returns report commissioned by PayPal.

Looking ahead, several trends could further increase the business value of reverse logistics investments. Companies that invest in data and systems integration will be able to more tightly integrate their reverse logistics processes into their logistics operations and optimize delivery routes. A variety of newer technologies, like artificial intelligence and robotics, is likely to drive greater automation and efficiency throughout the reverse logistics process, from streamlining warehouse operations, to increasing product traceability and visibility, to even predicting how return and exchange activity is likely to ebb and flow.

As previously mentioned, recommerce or reselling returned products is also likely to grow in popularity. Finally, the focus is likely to increase on evolving reverse logistics from a cost to minimize to a potential source of business revenue, with a focus on increasing efficiency, automation and resales.

Conclusion

Reverse logistics plays a crucial role in modern supply chains by efficiently managing the return of goods and recovering their value. It enhances customer satisfaction through smooth and reliable return processes. Optimizing reverse logistics helps reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainability. Ultimately, it transforms product returns into opportunities for growth, profitability, and stronger customer relationships.

FAQs

What is integrated logistics?

Integrated logistics is the complete process encompassing delivery, end-user issues, and product disposition. It emphasizes material efficiency and sustainability, ensuring that resources are reused or recycled whenever possible.

How much does it cost to implement a reverse logistics plan?

Implementing a reverse logistics plan typically costs 7–10% of the cost of goods. While it may seem like an added expense initially, a well-structured reverse logistics plan helps reduce long-term return costs and improves customer satisfaction.

How does reverse logistics work in the pharmaceutical industry?

In the pharmaceutical sector, reverse logistics ensures safe handling and disposal of medicines, preventing them from entering landfills or water supplies. The industry often relies on third-party logistics providers and specialized distributors to manage returns, recalls, and expired drug disposal in compliance with strict regulations.

What is the role of reverse logistics in the service industry?

In the service industry, reverse logistics focuses on repairs, refunds, warranty claims, and credit processing. It helps resolve customer issues faster and enhances customer satisfaction by efficiently handling post-service adjustments or product replacements.

What is a reverse logistics expert?

A reverse logistics expert specializes in optimizing return flows within a company’s supply chain. They assess current processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements that align with customer experience, sustainability goals, and profit margins.

What is reverse distribution?

Reverse distribution refers to the collection and movement of unsold, damaged, expired, or recalled goods from retailers back to manufacturers or suppliers for proper disposal, recycling, or reprocessing.

What is Design for Logistics (DFL)?

DFL is the concept of designing products and packaging to make logistics operations more cost-effective and efficient. For instance, flat-top soda cans were created to make stacking and transportation cheaper and easier.

What is Design for Reverse Logistics (DFRL)?

DFRL focuses on designing products and packaging that facilitate easier movement and recovery during reverse logistics. An example is refillable or reusable containers, which can be easily returned, cleaned, and reused.

How does reverse logistics reduce business risk?

Reverse logistics mitigates risk by ensuring compliance with environmental and waste regulations. It prevents potential government fines and allows companies to recover value from returns and unsold products, rather than losing them entirely.

How does reverse logistics contribute to a lean supply chain?

Reverse logistics supports a lean supply chain by minimizing waste, reusing materials, and consolidating transport operations. Combining shipping and returns into a unified process enhances efficiency and sustainability.

How does reverse logistics work?

Reverse logistics involves moving products from their endpoint (the customer) back through the supply chain for repair, reuse, resale, recycling, or disposal. Depending on company capacity, this may be managed internally or outsourced to specialized reverse logistics providers.

How are forward logistics and reverse logistics different?

Forward logistics: Products move from manufacturers to customers (production → distribution → retail → consumer).
Reverse logistics: Products move from customers back to the supply chain, often for returns, recycling, or repairs.

How can companies lower reverse logistics costs?

Reduce return rates through clear product information and customer reviews.
Integrate forward and reverse logistics to share resources and cut transport costs.
Use automation and analytics to streamline return tracking and disposition.

How can e-commerce companies minimize reverse logistics costs?

E-commerce businesses can lower reverse logistics expenses by:

Combining deliveries and returns on the same routes.
Partnering with third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to manage returns efficiently.
Analyzing return data to identify and eliminate root causes, such as inaccurate product descriptions or quality issues.