In our last marketplaces post, we covered why many retailers are establishing marketplaces for third-party sellers to offer their products through. The opportunities for growth are undeniable, but there are challenges to overcome to maximize the marketplace approach. Foremost among them is the question of…

The number of retailer-owned third-party marketplaces, in which retailers list products from other sellers within their platform or website, has risen over the past few years. Many big-name retailers now have their own marketplace platforms, including Tesco, Boots, Superdrug, B&Q, and The Range in the…

Returns already have a significant impact on retailers’ bottom line. National Retail Federation (NRF) data reveals that for every $1 billion in sales, retailers incur an average of $145 million in merchandise returns.  To make matters worse, returns fraud is also on the rise. Last…

Steve Jobs was desperate to make Apple focus on customers. “Some people say, ‘Give the customers what they want.’ But that’s not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they’re going to want before they do.” That’s a classic Jobs quote you’re probably…

As in so many things, communication is key when dealing with e-commerce returns. Marketers often discuss brand touchpoints, meaning the website, physical store locations, advertisements, sponsorships, and most crucially, when using, wearing or owning the product. However, one under-appreciated and crucially important brand touchpoint is…

Having spent a decade (which I recognize is not a massively long time in this industry!) working in the front line of the first and last mile, I wanted to discuss some of the key changes I’ve seen from our unique perspective as Doddle –…

Returns are one of the biggest challenges facing retailers today. Not only are they a drain on profits – for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $145 million in merchandise returns – but they’re also damaging for sustainability. Each return adds to…

In a fiercely competitive world where customer loyalty is hard-won and easily lost, retaining customers is vital to retail growth. Not only is it easier to sell more to customers who already love your brand, but a 10% increase in customer retention can increase profitability…

Our research reveals 63% of merchants consider returns a significant problem for their business. With high processing, sorting, and restocking costs and ever-rising return rates, it’s clear that returns are implicated in many of the challenges that retailers face today. The simple truth is that…

When it comes to improving e-commerce returns, retailers will often think to change the length of time customers have until they’re no longer allowed to return an item, or begin offering free returns postage. While these are both great drivers of customer loyalty and potentially…