Managing Returns and Replenishment
January isn’t downtime for retailers—it’s reset time following the surge of the holiday peak. Along with fulfilling ongoing orders, they must balance processing a high volume of returns with positioning inventory for the spring and summer seasons.
Reverse logistics is employed to determine what returned items are re-stocked, refurbished, offloaded for resale by secondary markets, or recycled. Replenishment planning takes place simultaneously, as inventory is evaluated, re-ordered, re-positioned, and prepared for upcoming seasonal demand.
The right 3PL partner can help retailers through the returns management and replenishment processes. Efficient reverse logistics can help retailers recapture value, while satisfying end customer needs and being good stewards of the environment through use of proper disposal channels. Flexible storage and staging make early seasonal inventory builds possible. Real-time inventory visibility captures the status of returns and sales, enabling accurate forecasting that helps retailers understand their replenishment needs.
Are you working with a 3PL partner who can help you strategically navigate the post-holiday pivot? Contact ASW to learn how we help our retail partners pivot after the peak season.