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Top 8 Best Courier or Shipping Partners for Reverse Logistics

pravarapruthvi — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:16:32 +0000

Reverse logistics is the process of retrieving products from customers, refurbishing them, and either reselling or disposing of them. This process is not as simple as it may seem because there are a number of considerations that must be made before selecting the best courier or shipping partner for your business. One consideration is determining what type of item you need to ship back to the supplier - some companies will only accept certain items while others will take anything that isn't broken.

Another consideration is whether you want to receive compensation for each returned product - this can help offset any losses incurred during shipping when an item gets lost in transit or if it arrives damaged. The cost associated with sending packages back and forth should also be considered since some couriers charge based on weight and each additional package sent to a supplier will come out of your pocket.

Below, you'll find a list of the top 8 best courier or shipping partners for reverse logistics in 2021-25.
Top 8 Reverse Logistics Companies for your Ecommerce business
Reverse logistics is a process of handling returned products, following the goods being delivered to the end customers.

Developing a good reverse logistics service will help your e-commerce business in enhancing customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs. Reverse logistics is an important part of the supply chain that helps companies in reducing losses and maximize profits. Customers are not only satisfied by getting their desired product on time at an affordable cost but also ensuring that it is in good condition when they receive it.

A forward thinking company wants to make their customers happy, which ultimately enhances sales growth for businesses that offer reverse logistic services. When suppliers take up the responsibility of handling returns, they have control over what happens with products during transit and delivery because those items are not directly provided by a retailer.
Reverse logistics involves four basic steps:
(1) identification of returned items,
(2) return process management,
(3) cost reduction and inventory control, and
(4) asset recovery.
But before you make a decision on selecting the right e-commerce partner for reverse logistics services it is important to know about major top 8 best reverse logistic companies that will help in handling all your returns in a safe & secure way throughout the order fulfillment cycle. Check out below Top 8 Best Reverse Logistics Companies used by leading Ecommerce Companies worldwide for managing their returns.
1)Ecom Express
Ecom Express is a leading global reverse logistics company that provides outsourced reverse logistics, supply chain solutions and other value added services to retailers, manufacturers and brand owners around the world. Reverse Logistics Solutions is one of the topmost e-commerce Reverse logistics companies in India with its base in Gurgaon, Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) having branch offices at New Delhi, Mumbai & Pune across the nation. RLS offers end to end E-Commerce business solutions including pre-sale advisory, warehouse management system creation and implementation, inventory optimization.

2)Shadowfax
If you were to ask any top 8 best reverse logistics companies in the world, one of them would be Shadowfax. The reason is because they have one #1 USP which no other reverse logistics firm has: a 100% recycling guarantee. This means that for every successful return, Shadowfax will ensure it gets to the right material recycler and turns into recycled product again - no middlemen involved.
The company also claims that their range of services includes collecting returns from all major US retailers as well as international brands like Nordstroms, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales etc. Their reach extends even further – they were listed amongst Fortune's 'Best Companies To Work For' in 2013, which speaks volumes of their commitment to all staff.
The company has also been shortlisted and won a number of awards this year, including the Gold Stevie in the 11th annual Stevie Awards for Marketing Innovation and two Platinum PRism Awards for its work on Reverse Logistics.
There are more accolades that Shadowfax has received but it's hard to keep track. The fact is that no other reverse logistics company can match them when it comes to gaining trust and respect – two things which will carry you through every phase of e-commerce business development.

3)Delhivery
has one of the best reverse logistics services. It has an extensive pick up network across 6,000 pin codes and offers 24*7 support to its customers. Delhivery's Reverse Logistics facility is a seamless offering for Ecommerce players who want to keep returns under control and take forward an "Returns as New" approach in customer experience.
Delhivery was founded in 2010 by IIT alumni Sahil Baria, Pratyush Prasanna & Ankit Khandelwal with strong belief to build 'The Most Disruptive Innovative company'. Delhivery counts amongst top 50 logistics companies globally. Now it owns a fleet size of over 2000+ vehicles including 1300+ own trucks spread across India . Delivering more than 20 Million shipments per month, Delhivery has emerged as the fastest growing logistics company in India.

4) Ecom Express
Ecom Express is a B2B Reverse Logistics Company operated by ecommerce and retail professionals with the aim of providing high quality reverse logistics services to major e-commerce companies and brands in India. The RLC (Reverse Logistics Center) enables clients to receive returned shipments from their end consumers via an Electronic Data Interchange(EDI). ECOM EXPRESS brings unmatchable expertise and experience in handling major product returns for online sellers such as Flipkart, Snapdeal, Jabong.com, Myntra etc. ECOM EXPRESS is the first Reverse Logistics Company in India to introduce "Reverse Dispatch" which enables sellers to send their products directly from the seller's warehouse in special cases like FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon). ECOM EXPRESS concentrates mainly on providing after sales support for product returns and reverse logistics.

5)Xpressbees
Xpressbees is one of the Best Reverse Logistics Companies. Xpressbees provides high-quality reverse logistics services to e-commerce businesses that are looking for exceptional customer service and quick turnaround times. With an integrated, cloud based solution, and unmatched customer support, Xpressbees offers a complete end-to-end service experience from order returns, inventory management, repairs & refurbishing / remarketing to pick & pack.
Frequent flyer programs such as Rewards4you are also offered by us where customers can earn points by returning products and redeem them. Today's consumers have come to expect exceptional levels of service in all aspects of their lives – particularly when it comes to eCommerce shopping options; with this as a baseline standard for

6)Blue Dart
It is one of the only successful reverse logistics companies in the world. It is a third party logistics provider with 21 years experience. They offer end-to-end logistics solutions including collection, processing and delivery of returns to customers. Their services are used by several Fortune 500 companies like Baxter Healthcare, Cisco Systems, Dell Computers etc.
The company provides customized end-to-end reverse logistic services for products ordered online to address customer return needs from retailers as well as direct sales channels such as distributors and wholesalers. Bluedart provides pick up facilities from both retail stores and warehouses. The product collected through this service can be sent either directly to the manufacturer or returned back to the customer address.
They offer several technologies including data management, proprietary tracking systems and logistics warehousing to handle electronic returns in a cost effective manner. The company also provides options of customizing reverse logistics solutions for different businesses. They help retailers reduce expenses related to manual handling and processing by providing customized solutions.
There are more than 600 employees working at Bluedart's corporate office at both domestic and international locations. The top performing technology that has enabled the company to withstand competition is its advance return process with high level of automation which further allows real-time reporting at any point in time for all operations conducted on their system
Bluedart brings an integrated solution in partnership with leading eCommerce players and retailers globally through cross border collaboration ensuring enhanced customer experience. Boart is also the official reverse logistics service provider for Dell, Cisco and Ingram Micro.
Bluedart's successful partnership with global eCommerce players like Dell, Ingram Micro, Cisco has decreased customer orders' processing time and improved on-time deliveries. Bluedart ensures superior integration of reverse logistic processes into warehouse processes at manufacturers which help in achieving increased productivity and reducing costs.

6)GATI
GATI Inc. is a reverse logistics company based in Chicago, Illinois, and it specializes in the recycling of e-products such as computers, mobile phones, CE devices, industrial electronic components and more. The company was founded by John Gatti in 2002.
For many years the focus has been on North American markets but recently they expanded into Europe with its office located in Dublin (Ireland). GATI serves local OEM's to Fortune 500 companies as well as branches of U.S. government agencies and military contractors at home and abroad through its network of strategically placed facilities throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Ireland which also include:
GATI provides a wide variety of services to both business and individual customers that include: reverse logistics, compliance with various local/state regulations, secure data destruction, cost effective solutions for excess inventory and obsolete assets. Each facility is designed to accept all types of non working end-use electronics devices on a free or responsibly sourced program basis.

7)Wow Express reverse logistics
Wow express was founded in the year 2012. The company is famous for their efficient ecommerce reverse logistics services. Wow Express handles all types of return transportation solutions for various kinds of products such as food and beverages, furniture etc. You can choose among different options such as pick up delivery, unloading transfer to a safe place or door to door pickup and delivery service.

8)Safexpress
Safexpress is a US based reverse logistics company incorporated in Delaware. It was founded in the year 1998 with an aim to offer supply chain solutions for businesses of all sizes across the globe. Safexpress delivers comprehensive solutions for reverse logistics management, end-to-end returns processing, and inventory analysis through its own service network and third party service providers.
The company handles every phase of the returns process from collecting it from return location to shipping goods back to full value paid customer without any intermediaries or additional charges. Their services are specialized by product type, shipment size, client needs and volume of returns. The top notch technology employed by Safexpress allows them to deal with high volumes of products quickly and reliably while keeping a tight control over costs involved.

Final Words
There are many considerations to take into account when choosing the best courier or shipping partner for your reverse logistics needs. You’ll need a company that offers flexible rates, free pickup and delivery services, 24/7 customer service availability, as well as competitive pricing. We recommend partnering with one of these top 8 companies that offer all of these advantages. We hope this list helps you find a reverse logistics partner for your e-commerce business. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you promptly. Thanks for reading.

Top 9 Best MetaPack Competitors and Alternatives

pravarapruthvi — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 13:21:13 +0000

MetaPack is an eCommerce shipping company that offers the most affordable rates in the industry. However, there are other companies out there with similar services. This blog post will list 9 competitors and alternatives to MetaPack based on price, features, customer reviews, etc. The intention of this article is to provide you with information so that you can make an educated decision when choosing your shipping company for your business needs.

Top 9 MetaPack Competitors and Alternatives
1)parcelLab
parcelLab is a next-generation parcel delivery platform that enables web retailers to manage complex delivery logistics with ease. They are an easy-to-use, reliable, overnight courier offering same-day service across the UK. ParcelLab provides real-time tracking, online booking and acceptance of deliveries from multiple couriers so you don't have to.

2)ShipBob
ShipBob provides order management software for ecommerce merchants to automate their order fulfillment process through multiple carriers - USPS, UPS, FedEx & more. By integrating key customer data into the ShipBob system, the application updates carriers about changes in inventory availability which causes carrier codes to automatically update orders as they move through your warehouse or store shelves. ShipBob key features are order management, inventory alerts, automatic carrier matching, and more. ShipBob is an e-commerce fulfillment partner that provides on-demand delivery fulfillment services in Singapore through its proprietary warehouse platform for online retailers, distributors and manufacturers. ShipBob offers a suite of integrated logistic solutions including warehousing services with its 12000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse facility to the last mile doorstep delivery.

3)EasyPost
Like MetaPack, EasyPost provides a drop-shipping API that sends orders from the retailer's store to their shipping carrier of choice. It can be used as an alternative for MetaPack and has a free plan. EasyPost- An all-inclusive online marketplace solution that partners with retailers who process or ship from ecommerce sites where EasyPost manages your order fulfillment & logistics so you don't have to.

4)ShippyPro
ShippyPro is a Taiwan based company that started the company. It aims to provide a POS integrated real-time shipping solution for retailers, carriers and couriers alike. At the same time, it also aims to provide intelligent route planning services available on mobile platforms full of carrier information. ShippyPro was founded in 2007 in California by Jesse Lakes, ShippyPro provides cloud-based logistics solutions for ecommerce companies from all over the world to ship their products domestically and internationally. Whether you need to consolidate your shipments or manage them via API integration, ShippyPro has you covered.

5)ShipWell
Founded in 2011, ShipWell is the only intelligent multi-carrier shipping platform that increases your marketplace sales, customer acquisition, and retention. ShipWell provides end-to-end visibility to your customers on multiple carriers through automated label creation with tracking data presented in a real-time manner. ShipWell Fulfillment is a scalable order fulfillment service for retailers of all sizes. They are an order management system built solely for eCommerce orders. Their proprietary software uses rules-based routing so you can optimize labor, warehouse space, and shipping costs while maximizing on-time deliveries.

6)ClickPost

7)AfterShip
8)Convey

9)Narvar

How to Choose the Best MetaPack competitor?
1.Software Area of Operation

2.Software Prices and Rates

3.Software Implementation and Features

4.Business Priorities

5.Customer Support & Services of Software

6.Shipping Rates

7.Choice of Carriers

8.Tech Capabilities

9.Shipping Partners

10.API Integration

11.eCommerce Product Returns management

12.Provision of Data Analytics

13.Unified Tracking Platform

14.Tie Up With More Carriers

15.Greater Carrier Visibility

16.Customer Experience

17.Payment Options

Conclusion:
To find the best MetaPack competitor for eCommerce business, it’s important to understand what you need and want in your shipping service. By reading this article, we hope that you will be better equipped to make a sound decision on which ship provider is right for you. We have done all of the research so that you don't have to. In our opinion, these are some of the top 9 competitors or alternatives if Metapack doesn't suit your needs.

What is Logistics and How Does It Apply to eCommerce

pravarapruthvi — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 11:19:22 +0000

Overview of eCommerce Logistics
The eCommerce industry is built on the foundation of logistics. The logistics sector is responsible for the existence and functioning of online sellers. The lack of in-store experiences in the online commerce industry prevents customers from examining their desired products first-hand, however, eCommerce makes up for it through seamless logistics and doorstep convenience.

The online shopping experience requires a lot of effort and resources to compete with traditional shopping experiences. This need is fulfilled through the help of the logistics industry which helps businesses store, pack and move products to help reach customers in the comfort of their homes. In this article, we discuss what eCommerce logistics is and how it applies to the eCommerce industry.

Logistics services used by eCommerce businesses
The logistics industry is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of services provided by companies to move a product from one place to another. It is the logistics industry that is responsible for connecting the modern, and now it is an asset to the eCommerce industry enabling businesses to reach customers wherever they are present.

Let us now discuss what are some of the logistics services an eCommerce company uses:
1. Shipping
The primary requirement of the eCommerce industry from logistics companies is shipping services. This allows businesses to move their products from their source or manufacturing facility to a central location where they can be stored. From the storage facility, products can be sent to smaller units that are placed strategically.

Once the products are placed in the storage facility, the products can be processed, packed and dispatched as per the requirement of the eCommerce platform.

2. Warehousing and inventory
Warehousing services provided by the logistics industry enable online sellers to operate without the requirement of any physical presence. The products that an eCommerce platform sells can be stored and sorted in the warehouse facility. Through advanced inventory management software, the levels of stock and analytics on requirements of a particular product can also be examined without needing to visit a storage facility.

Through warehouses, businesses can pack their orders and dispatch them with the help of the ideal delivery partner who can then deliver those items to the end consumer through the use of last-mile delivery agents.

3. Allocation and processing
When a product is sitting in the warehouse, it can easily be sorted and placed strategically within the facility for maximum efficiency. Whenever an order is received by the eCommerce platform, it is routed to the warehouse where the item is identified and packed. From then on, the product can be processed and labelled within the facility.

Once an order has been, the item can be allocated to the delivery partner that is ideal for a particular type of item, or specific geography or other factors.

4. Reverse logistics
The eCommerce industry cannot replace the experience of customers getting the touch and feel of a product before they make a purchase. Therefore, online sellers offer returns to customers to allow them to return or exchange their product if they feel that the product is not up to the mark or damaged in any way. However, the returns process is complicated and requires the expertise of logistics professionals.

When eCommerce companies receive return requests from customers, they send that information to their logistics partner who then moves it to their agent. The agent receives the product from the doorstep of the customer and takes it back to the nearest hub, from where the product begins its journey back to the original storage facility.

Why do eCommerce companies need logistics partners
Since eCommerce companies do not have brick and mortar stores, logistics partners play an important role in ensuring that they are able to reach customers. Online sellers need to substitute the online selling experience through logistics services, which allow them to move the product to the customer and back from the customer if needed.

Final thoughts
The logistics industry has proved critical to the existence of the eCommerce sector. Companies from both domains have proved to be successful in recent years owing to the advent of an internet boom. The eCommerce industry simply cannot survive without logistics companies, and therefore must conduct thorough research before choosing the ideal partner for their business.

Main Differences Between Hyperlocal Delivery And Last-Mile Delivery

pravarapruthvi — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 10:05:16 +0000

Introduction to Hyperlocal Delivery
Hyperlocal delivery is the term used to describe a delivery made within a fixed geographical limit under a stipulated time frame. It is the process of getting products to the doorsteps of customers who reside close to the base of operations of an enterprise.

Hyperlocal deliveries are time-bound, restricted to an area and used to deliver only certain kinds of goods. Its essence is to connect businesses with customers in the same area.

Introduction to Last-Mile Delivery
Last-mile delivery is used to define any delivery that is made to the doorstep or in the hands of the end consumer. The facility is used to deliver a wide range of products without limitations. The process connects multiple geographical locations and facilitates cross-border commerce.

Last-mile deliveries can be used to deliver products with limiting businesses through time or distance. Since the process involves a multitude of steps and is actually the culmination of the shipping process, a number of checks and balances are ensured throughout the system which allows businesses to deliver all sorts of products to the customers.

Key differences between Hyperlocal Delivery and Last-Mile Delivery
Since both hyperlocal and last-mile deliveries are used to send products to the end consumer, it is easy to confuse the two. However, even though the end result of both processes is similar, their characteristics are visibly different.

Here are some key differences between hyperlocal and last-mile deliveries.
1. Time taken
Hyperlocal and last-mile deliveries operate on very different time frames. Hyperlocal deliveries are generally used to deliver products within a short span of time. Products delivered through this method are usually sent to the doorsteps of a customer within the same business day. Businesses also make hyperlocal deliveries within a matter of hours to serve their customers.

Last-mile deliveries are generally not bound by timelines. The process can take days, weeks and even months depending on the type of the commodity to reach the end consumer.

2. Distance Covered
Hyperlocal delivery, as the name suggests, is restricted to a certain geographical limit. The process is used to reach customers within close proximity to an enterprise. This allows businesses to cater to customers from within a defined boundary beyond which deliveries are not made.

Last-mile delivery, on the other hand, is not limited by distance. Businesses use the process to reach customers in all corners of the world. The process can be used to connect customers from different cities, countries and even continents.

3. Size handled
Since hyperlocal deliveries are time-bound, delivering large items is usually not possible. The process is generally restricted to making deliveries for products of a smaller size and volume.

Last-mile deliveries are a flexible alternative for businesses. The process involves the delivery of a variety of items which are not restricted to a certain size limit.

4. Types of products delivered
Hyperlocal deliveries are usually preferred to deliver products that can be consumed quickly or may perish in a short period of time. The general norm is to use hyperlocal deliveries for grocery and food delivery.

Last-mile deliveries are often made across large distances, which gives them the disadvantage of not being able to get perishables transported in time. However, for virtually all other items, last-mile deliveries can be used.

Final thoughts
Hyperlocal deliveries and last-mile deliveries, both are used to serve different businesses and different requirements. While hyperlocal delivery is used to reach customers in close vicinity, last-mile delivery is used to connect businesses with distant customers making both methods suitable to different situations. The logistics sector is a dynamic domain and both the processes are an important part of any business ecosystem.