Published by DC Velocity
Featuring Sean O’Farrell, VP Operations, Tompkins Robotics
Robotics can help speed up the returns process—but only if you’ve laid the groundwork with a detailed, technology-enabled protocol for getting those surging volumes under control.
Managing post-holiday returns can be a headache for even the best-run distribution centers, and it’s getting more intense as the volume of returns soars in today’s era of e-commerce. Consumers returned about $760 billion worth of merchandise in 2021, according to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF)—a figure some industry watchers expect to top $1 trillion this year. The staggering volume is shining a light on reverse logistics, and more companies are looking for ways to better manage the process, including applying robotics and automation.