
Reverse logistics is one of the fastest developing areas of the logistics industry that is facing continuous changes in its scope and significance. The reverse logistics industry involves activities aimed at reuse and recycling efforts and covers a wide variety of subjects and industries including electronic waste.
As a result of globalization, businesses have faced complete transformation, and the way customers buy a product and the way organizations sell a product has changed. And with e-commerce platforms having bolstered the need for reverse logistics operations, the industry has become something we cannot do without.
But while it is a necessity in the digital age, organizations are finding that reverse logistics is one of the most challenging tasks for them to perform. The reverse logistics or the product returns happen because of the particular needs and expectations of a customer about a product, or due to the dissatisfaction with a delivered product; this scenario has created a separate supply chain for a product return.
From the time a customer opts to return a product, it will be often be removed from the distribution channel, since the companies then consider them as damaged, expired, discontinued, or revoked. During the return process, the manufacturing department often operates a repair function in the organization; they repair the product on the basis of the customer’s feedback or a problem they have noticed and send them again to the distribution department. Reverse logistics is not only a concern for the manufacturers but also an important function for the contractors because they also have warranty and service activities.
Reverse logistics is considered to be a highly critical task for organizations that are facilitating aftermarket services. Above all, as the reverse logistics applications are continuously deployed and diversified, the future of reverse logistics management is much visible and promising to show efficient advancements.