In the broad sector of logistics and storage systems, most of the time there is talk about how to optimize logistics from the manufacturer to the consumer, following the supply chain. But with a globalized market, business models based on electronic commerce and a growing interest, both ethical and economic, in the environmental management and the sustainable development, the reverse logistics is gaining increasing prominence, to the point that more and more logistics operators specializing in reverse logistics are emerging.
In this article we tell you:
- What is reverse logistics?
- Reverse logistics is key in e-commerce
- Automated metal shelving for efficient online stores
- Pick-to-light and put-to-light in reverse logistics
- Automatic order preparation with Disban H
- Roller conveyor for high-performance warehouses
- More than a manufacturer of metal shelves
What is reverse logistics?
reverse logistics It covers a wide variety of activities, which have in common that the path along the supply chain is the reverse, that is, from the consumer or client to the manufacturer or supplier, as opposed to direct logistics that follows the direction common in the supply chain. This includes waste management, packaging recovery, material recycling, raw material reuse and, what we will focus on in this article, merchandise returns and returns.
Reverse logistics is key in e-commerce
Electronic commerce is being one of the engines of the economy, with growth in business figures that, in Europe, is above 15% each year, even during the years of crisis. Estimates predict that this growth will continue in the coming years.
The large increase in electronic commerce is mainly due to Business to Consumer (B2C) business models, that is, online stores that sell directly to end consumers.
The specific legislation for the protection of consumers of electronic commerce guarantees the right to returns. Although laws vary from country to country, in the European Union a free return period has been established during the first 14 days after receipt of the product by the consumer. Pero en un mercado cada vez más competitivo, los vendedores más exitosos ofrecen mejores condiciones de envío y devolución como ventaja frente a sus competidores, con plazos de entrega cada vez más ajustados y con plazos de devolución muy superiores a los exigidos por ley. This makes reverse logistics, in terms of returns handling, of vital economic and strategic importance. In addition, efficient reverse logistics directly influences the experience of consumers who will opt for those sellers that convey greater seriousness and trust. Reverse logistics becomes, therefore, one of the factors that contribute the most to the intangible assets of commercial brands and corporate identities of online sales businesses.
One of the sectors with the highest growth rates currently in online sales is the textile, footwear and accessories sector. Until a few years ago, this sector lagged behind in electronic commerce compared to other markets such as consumer electronics, books, etc., due to the fact that clothing and footwear have particular conditions, since consumers will not be able to try the garments until you receive them after purchase. It is obvious that the online growth of this sector has been linked to the offer of completely free shipping and returns for the consumer, as well as the evolution of logistics operators that allow much shorter delivery and collection times. Reverse logistics is even more important here than with other product categories, since returns will occur more frequently, and it must be especially efficient in order to compete with physical points of sale. Along with fast and uncomplicated reverse logistics for buyers, online clothing, footwear and accessories stores often compete with more aggressive price campaigns, more frequent promotions, larger product catalogs, etc.
Another sector that has recently benefited from online sales is the pharmaceutical sector. Here it must be taken into account that medicines are subject to different regulations depending on their geographical area, but parapharmacy items and medicines that do not require a prescription have allowed the sector to incorporate into electronic commerce.
The automotive sector is another of the most relevant cases. Although this varies considerably between countries, in cases such as the United States, the online sale of spare parts and accessories for cars directly to the final consumer has shown one of the most notable growths in recent years.
However, success in online sales requires having highly efficient internal logistics and optimized warehouses, both in terms of space and performance, which allow warehouse operators to spend more time on efficient reverse logistics.
The large increase in electronic commerce is mainly due to Business to Consumer (B2C) business models, that is, online stores that sell directly to end consumers.
The specific legislation for the protection of consumers of electronic commerce guarantees the right to returns. Although laws vary from country to country, in the European Union a free return period has been established during the first 14 days after receipt of the product by the consumer. Pero en un mercado cada vez más competitivo, los vendedores más exitosos ofrecen mejores condiciones de envío y devolución como ventaja frente a sus competidores, con plazos de entrega cada vez más ajustados y con plazos de devolución muy superiores a los exigidos por ley. This makes reverse logistics, in terms of returns handling, of vital economic and strategic importance. In addition, efficient reverse logistics directly influences the experience of consumers who will opt for those sellers that convey greater seriousness and trust. Reverse logistics becomes, therefore, one of the factors that contribute the most to the intangible assets of commercial brands and corporate identities of online sales businesses.
One of the sectors with the highest growth rates currently in online sales is the textile, footwear and accessories sector. Until a few years ago, this sector lagged behind in electronic commerce compared to other markets such as consumer electronics, books, etc., due to the fact that clothing and footwear have particular conditions, since consumers will not be able to try the garments until you receive them after purchase. It is obvious that the online growth of this sector has been linked to the offer of completely free shipping and returns for the consumer, as well as the evolution of logistics operators that allow much shorter delivery and collection times. Reverse logistics is even more important here than with other product categories, since returns will occur more frequently, and it must be especially efficient in order to compete with physical points of sale. Along with fast and uncomplicated reverse logistics for buyers, online clothing, footwear and accessories stores often compete with more aggressive price campaigns, more frequent promotions, larger product catalogs, etc.
Another sector that has recently benefited from online sales is the pharmaceutical sector. Here it must be taken into account that medicines are subject to different regulations depending on their geographical area, but parapharmacy items and medicines that do not require a prescription have allowed the sector to incorporate into electronic commerce.
The automotive sector is another of the most relevant cases. Although this varies considerably between countries, in cases such as the United States, the online sale of spare parts and accessories for cars directly to the final consumer has shown one of the most notable growths in recent years.
However, success in online sales requires having highly efficient internal logistics and optimized warehouses, both in terms of space and performance, which allow warehouse operators to spend more time on efficient reverse logistics.
Automated metal shelving for efficient online stores
Although as end users we see online stores only their website and the packages that arrive at our homes, the operation of successful online businesses has more in common with distribution centers than with points of sale. By eliminating physical stores and having to attend to orders 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the organization of successful online stores is based on highly efficient warehouses. Together with the most appropriate types of metal racking for each type of load and level of turnover of the goods, automated racking systems make it possible to achieve the levels of performance and efficiency necessary to meet the high demands of the modern supply chain.
Reverse logistics, which plays an increasingly relevant role, is another benefit from automated storage systems. These systems allow warehouse operators to optimize maintenance operations and dedicate more time to reverse logistics tasks, all with metal racks whose automation can be easily integrated with WMS, ERP systems or any management software, keeping control of inventory up to date. stock.
E-commerce means that warehouses need to be more agile in servicing smaller but more frequent individual orders. ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas automation systems drastically reduce response times in maintenance, both in the preparation of orders and in the management of returns. A faster and more efficient response during the purchase processes and during the return processes is essential for customer loyalty, especially for online B2C markets, where competition is higher as the geographical limitations of local physical stores disappear.
Reverse logistics, which plays an increasingly relevant role, is another benefit from automated storage systems. These systems allow warehouse operators to optimize maintenance operations and dedicate more time to reverse logistics tasks, all with metal racks whose automation can be easily integrated with WMS, ERP systems or any management software, keeping control of inventory up to date. stock.
E-commerce means that warehouses need to be more agile in servicing smaller but more frequent individual orders. ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas automation systems drastically reduce response times in maintenance, both in the preparation of orders and in the management of returns. A faster and more efficient response during the purchase processes and during the return processes is essential for customer loyalty, especially for online B2C markets, where competition is higher as the geographical limitations of local physical stores disappear.
Pick-to-light and put-to-light in reverse logistics
The ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas light-guided system has shown great efficiency in optimizing warehouse picking areas in various logistics, industrial and commercial sectors. The great versatility of this system allows it to adapt to the needs of each area of the warehouse, assisting operators in pick-to-light operations, also called pick-by-light, as well as put-to-light operations. Along with its ability to integrate with WMS, ERP systems or any warehouse management software, the light-guided system allows a drastic reduction in human errors in picking and order preparation operations.
The flexibility of operation of this automation system also allows it to be adapted to different types of tasks, both direct logistics and reverse logistics. For example, it can assist in put-to-light operations to deposit merchandise according to its next handling task, to replace merchandise returned in perfect condition, send defective merchandise to shipping areas for recycling, etc. And all this synchronized with the warehouse management software and working in coordination with the roller conveyors.
Automatic order preparation with Disban H
The warehouses of online stores oriented to the final consumer have to face peaks of activity on certain dates, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Father’s and Mother’s Day campaigns, etc. Depending on each sector, peak orders may also be concentrated depending on the day of the week, time slots, etc. The automatic dispensing Disban H from ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas is a high-speed automatic order preparation system that allows you to deal with these situations effectively.
The design of the Disban H automatic dispensers makes them very robust and energy efficient devices, prepared to withstand large workloads in a reliable and agile manner. They enjoy great success in warehouses in the pharmaceutical sector for the distribution of pharmacy and parapharmacy products. But ATOX Disban H dispensers, which are also made to measure for each client, are so versatile that they are being used to optimize the competitiveness of stores in very diverse business sectors, such as cosmetics, auto parts and accessories, publishing houses and stationery, etc.
Having the Disban H automatic dispensing system from ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas drastically speeds up order preparation, eliminating inventory errors. This frees up warehouse operators, giving them more time to dedicate to reverse logistics tasks that inevitably require manual processing, such as reviewing returned packages, evaluating defective products, etc.
Having the Disban H automatic dispensing system from ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas drastically speeds up order preparation, eliminating inventory errors. This frees up warehouse operators, giving them more time to dedicate to reverse logistics tasks that inevitably require manual processing, such as reviewing returned packages, evaluating defective products, etc.
Roller conveyor for high-performance warehouses
ATOX Soluciones Tecnológicas intelligent motorized roller transport systems allow goods to be transported within the warehouse so that operators can remain at their posts. Thus, several operators can participate in the same order, the operators in the returns management area can send merchandise to the corresponding area for replacement, etc.
The great versatility of roller conveyors and their coordination with other automated racking systems, such as light-guided and automatic dispensers, make it possible to meet the high performance demands that current markets place on modern warehouses, both in direct logistics as in reverse logistics.
More than a manufacturer of metal shelves
ATOX Storage Systems has more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing high-quality metal racking systems. Its own experience in internationalization, with a wide international presence both in Europe and Latin America, together with its commitment to excellence in customer service, makes ATOX more than a supplier of racks and becomes a logistics partner for its clients, contributing its consolidated experience in a great diversity of industrial and logistics sectors. All this, together with the innovation of the automated racking systems of ATOX Technological Solutions, is what has allowed ATOX Storage Systems to optimize the warehouses of its clients and contribute to their greater competitiveness in the market.