Reducing retail supply chain costs of product returns using digital product fitting
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A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
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en
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20
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International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Volume 51, issue 8, pp. 877-896
Abstract
Purpose - This paper investigate how fit uncertainty impacts product return costs in online retailing and how digital product fitting, a pre-sales fitting practice, can reduce fit uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach - The paper analyzes the current performance of a retailer's e-commerce and return operations by estimating costs generated by product returns, including product handling costs, tied-up capital, inventory holding costs, transportation costs, and order-picking costs. The estimated costs were built on 2,229 return transactions from a Scandinavian fashion footwear retailer. A digital product fitting technology was tested with the retailer's products and resulted in estimations on how such technology could affect product returns. Findings - The cost of a return is approximately 17% of the prime cost. The major cost elements are product handling costs and transportation costs, which together amount to 72% of the total costs. If well calibrated, the fitting technology can cut fit-related return costs by up to 80%. The findings show how customers reacted to the fitting technology: it was unable to verify fit every time, but it serves as a useful and effective support tool for customers when placing orders. Research limitations/implications - Virtual fit verification using digital product fitting is key to retailers to reduce fit-related returns. Digital product fitting using three-dimensional scanning is more appropriate for some products, but it is unsuitable for products that are difficult to measure and scan. Originality/value - The paper contributes an empirical estimate of retail supply chain costs associated with fit uncertainty, as well as theoretical understanding of the role of pre-sales fit verification in avoiding product returns.Description
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Gustafsson, E, Jonsson, P & Holmstrom, J 2021, 'Reducing retail supply chain costs of product returns using digital product fitting', International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol. 51, no. 8, pp. 877-896. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-10-2020-0334