What is product return process? 5 tips to optimize it expertly (2023) (2024)

Tip #4: Track return rates

In-store product returns don’t have to be the end of the world. It’s an inevitable part of retail and an important data point for retailers. Tracking data on in-store product returns will help retailers identify potential problems in their business.

Here are some examples:

  • Many customers bought your products online but exchanged them in-store later because they got the wrong size. This means customers are struggling with choosing the right size online and you should include a size chart on your website.
  • There’s a spike in shirt returns. It turns out the fabric is irritating for some wearers. You should change the shirt materials and improve your product.
  • Customers keep asking the staff to explain your return policy. Perhaps part of your policy is full of jargon or the customer simply can’t find it. You can rewrite the policy to make it easier to understand and have your staff explain it clearly during checkout.

Tip #5: Use integrated software

If you’re selling both online and offline, or running multiple stores, it’s essential to have a POS system that’s integrated into every part of your business.

You can create a seamless shopping experience when customers buy online and return in-store. In addition, in-store product returns are way more convenient when the customer can return in any store, not just the one they bought from. The staff should be able to view and process all orders of different stores, created from their checkout counter to the self-checkout kiosk in another location.

An integrated POS system will also ensure that data is updated in real time and correctly. When the return is complete, the change in order, inventory, and customer should be reflected in the rest of your system. No one wants to re-enter the in-store product returns manually in their inventory management software.

With an integrated POS, you can eliminate double entry and keep all records of sales, stock, and customers under control.

What is product return process? 5 tips to optimize it expertly (2023) (2024)

FAQs

What is the process of product return? ›

What is the return process? In retail and online shopping, the returns process starts when a customer wants to return a product and ends when the business collects, sorts, and restocks that product.

What are the processes of return? ›

The first step is the customer return request. The second is when the business certifies the item return to meet return requirements. Then they use reverse logistics to ship the returned item to the distribution center or warehouse for the rest of the process. The fourth step of the process is inspection.

What is the return policy of a product? ›

A return policy is a set of rules and guidelines that a business owner establishes to govern the process of accepting and processing returns and exchanges of their products or services.

What is product return management? ›

What Is Returns Management? Returns management is a process in retail and e-commerce that starts with customers wishing to return a product, and ends with the business collecting, organizing, and restocking that product.

What is return processing? ›

Returns processing is an important process in reverse logistics, which involves returns, repairs, recalls, repackaging for restocking or resale, recycling, and disposal. In some contexts, reverse logistics and returns processing are synonymous, as it's management after the sale of a product.

What is the basic return policy? ›

A basic return policy explains to customers if you accept returns and offer any refunds or exchanges after they've purchased an item they no longer want. It sets your customers' expectations about: If you accept returns, offer refunds, exchanges, or store credit.

What is the most common return policy? ›

The typical time limit can be anything between 14 and 60 days after purchase, depending on the product type, whether it was bought online or in-person, and how long shipping can take. Some businesses offer longer return time frames around the holiday season, recognizing that many products will be given as gifts.

What does return of product means? ›

In retail, a product return is the process of a customer taking previously purchased merchandise back to the retailer, and in turn receiving a refund in the original form of payment, exchange.

What are the benefits of product returns? ›

Getting good at handling returns is the better option. It can lead to more sales because customers know they can return unwanted merchandise easily. It can also improve relationships across the supply chain, improve profits through reduced costs, and lead to greater efficiency and higher recovery rates for returns.

What is the main purpose of return? ›

The return statement specifies what that value is. When the return statement is executed, execution of the function terminates, and the specified value is made available at the place where the function was called.

How do you record product returns? ›

When merchandise is returned, the sales returns and allowances account is debited to reduce sales, and accounts receivable or cash is credited to refund cash or reduce what is owed by the customer. A second entry must also be made debiting inventory to put the returned items back.

What is the process of purchase return? ›

A purchase return is when a buyer (either a business or an individual) returns goods that they bought to the seller for a refund or store credit, depending on the seller's policy. The buyer might make these returns for various reasons, as long as they align with local laws and the seller's return policy.

What happens when a product is returned? ›

So there are a few different things that can happen when you return something. While some items, like clothing, can sometimes be thoroughly inspected and - if in pristine condition - put back on shelves for resale, other items, like beauty products, are simply gonna be destroyed.

What is the process of sales return? ›

A sales return is when a customer or client sends a product back to the seller. A customer may return an item for several reasons, including: Excess quantity: A customer may have ordered more items than they need, or a company may have accidentally sent additional products.

What is a return method? ›

A method returns to the code that invoked it when it completes all the statements in the method, reaches a return statement, or throws an exception, whichever occurs first. You declare a method's return type in its method declaration. Within the body of the method, you use the return statement to return the value.

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