Now that the holiday season is over, the next issue for retailers lies in the amount of returns to be expected. Rebelstork CEO Emily Hosie joins Market Domination to discuss how her company is dealing with this uptick in unwanted merchandise.
Hosie describes January as "Return-uary," highlighting the surge in post-holiday returns during this period. She cites a National Retail Federation projection that returned goods will total approximately $890 billion in 2024, about 17% of retailers' annual sales.
Hosie emphasizes that managing returns is a "complex" process involving logistical challenges and volume management. She highlights a concerning trend: approximately 9.5 billion pounds of returned merchandise ends up in landfills, regardless of whether items have been used. Her company, Rebelstork, aims to address this environmental issue.
While Rebelstork initially specialized in baby gear returns, the company has expanded its operations to include home goods, broadening its impact on reducing retail waste.
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This post was written by Angel Smith