E-commerce returns, to put it simply, is the concept of returning any items or products purchased from e-commerce sites. The impact of returned e-commerce products is discussed in this article, particularly regarding sustainability and the environment.

Returns have always been a contentious issue in the world of e-commerce. Various return schemes that have been proposed in the past have failed to produce long-term sustainable returns. As one might assume, returned goods disproportionately negatively impact the environment. Furthermore, returned items have a significant detrimental influence on the environment.

How can we best manage e-commerce refunds in such a very avoidable scenario? Let's see what we can find out!

How can returns be made more sustainable?

It is time to think about protecting the environment by introducing return techniques that reduce packaging waste, landfill trash, and carbon footprints while helping shops make more money. Technology consulting firms are specialized in producing solutions for problems exactly like these.

Here are some solutions technology consulting firms can help your company with, for boosting the long-term viability of e-commerce returns:

Optimized Product Pages - The most common causes for returns are that the size is incorrect or that the goods do not always meet the customer's expectations. To avoid this problem in the future, make sure that the information on the product detail page is correct, including sizing charts. All these safeguards provide accurate product information based on a verified transaction and reduce the number of returns.

Incorporate AI to smoothen the Purchasing Process - To give a customer an in-store experience, online businesses should use AI/ML technologies. These technologies can provide customers with 3D or AR-Based product views to assist them in confirming the product's size, design, and appearance. It will help in giving a try-on-and-buy experience for customers in-store.

Offers on Returns - Returns are always the unknown and unpredicted variables that impact profitability. An online store should give special deals on things that are returned. Compare the return fee to the product cost before deciding whether to return the item or let the customer keep it. It will be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Collaborate with return aggregators - As e-commerce grows globally, online retailers should work with return aggregators to make returns easier. The goal of this aggregator is to make the return process more efficient. Instead of delivering the returned item to the retailer's warehouse, they can keep it and send it all at once, only when the container is full, minimizing carbon emissions.

Conclusion

Given that internet purchasing is here to stay, both the merchant and the customer have a moral obligation to reduce returns. To increase confidence and improve the purchasing experience, the seller should provide detailed product information and leverage innovative technologies. Customers may get precise product assessments using technologies like virtual sizing and augmented reality, which can help them make educated selections and avoid returns.

While e-commerce returns are unavoidable, any company can rely on technology consulting firms to manage returns in environmentally friendly ways to reduce their impact. Is the 'e' in 'e-commerce returns' supposed to stand for the 'e' in 'wastage'? Or do you want it to represent the 'e' in 'environment'?