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How to organise return handling; an exploratory study with nine retailer warehouses

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  • de Koster, M.B.M.
  • de Brito, M.P.
  • van de Vendel, M.A.

Abstract

Already for a long time retailers take back products. In this paper we explore the factors contributing to the decision of combining vs. separating inbound and outbound flows during the return handling process. We do so through a comparative analysis of the operations in nine retailer warehouses, which can be divided in three groups: food retailers, department stores and mail order companies. We identify both aggravating factors and facilitating actions for return handling. Furthermore, we bring about recommendations for practice. At the end we put forward propositions that are useful in feeding studies on return handling efficiency. In particular, we conjecture over the impact that return volume and product diversity have on the decision for combining vs. separating the reverse and forward flows.

Suggested Citation

  • de Koster, M.B.M. & de Brito, M.P. & van de Vendel, M.A., 2002. "How to organise return handling; an exploratory study with nine retailer warehouses," Econometric Institute Research Papers EI 2002-11, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Econometric Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ems:eureir:576
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    1. de Brito, M.P. & de Koster, M.B.M., 2003. "Product Return Handling," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2003-013-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    2. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Weidinger, Felix, 2019. "Warehousing in the e-commerce era: A survey," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 277(2), pages 396-411.
    3. Alexander Hübner & Andreas Holzapfel & Heinrich Kuhn, 2016. "Distribution systems in omni-channel retailing," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 9(2), pages 255-296, August.
    4. de Brito, Marisa P. & van der Laan, Erwin A., 2009. "Inventory control with product returns: The impact of imperfect information," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 194(1), pages 85-101, April.
    5. Pokharel, Shaligram & Mutha, Akshay, 2009. "Perspectives in reverse logistics: A review," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 175-182.
    6. de Brito, M.P., 2003. "Promising Areas for Future Research on Reverse Logistics: an exploratory study," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2003-061-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    7. de Brito, M.P. & Flapper, S.D.P. & Dekker, R., 2002. "Reverse logistics," Econometric Institute Research Papers EI 2002-21, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Econometric Institute.
    8. de Koster, M.B.M. & Le-Duc, T. & Roodbergen, K.J., 2006. "Design and Control of Warehouse Order Picking: a literature review," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2006-005-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    9. Marisa P. Brito & Rommert Dekker & Simme Douwe P. Flapper, 2005. "Reverse Logistics: A Review of Case Studies," Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, in: Bernhard Fleischmann & Andreas Klose (ed.), Distribution Logistics, pages 243-281, Springer.
    10. Krikke, Harold & Hofenk, Dianne & Wang, Yacan, 2013. "Revealing an invisible giant: A comprehensive survey into return practices within original (closed-loop) supply chains," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 239-250.
    11. de Brito, M.P. & Dekker, R., 2003. "A Framework for Reverse Logistics," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2003-045-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    12. Emde, Simon & Tahirov, Nail & Gendreau, Michel & Glock, Christoph H., 2021. "Routing automated lane-guided transport vehicles in a warehouse handling returns," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 292(3), pages 1085-1098.
    13. de Koster, Rene & Le-Duc, Tho & Roodbergen, Kees Jan, 2007. "Design and control of warehouse order picking: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 182(2), pages 481-501, October.
    14. Ilias P. Vlachos, 2014. "Reverse food logistics during the product life cycle," International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(1/2), pages 49-83.
    15. Y Gajpal & P Abad, 2010. "Saving-based algorithms for vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and delivery," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(10), pages 1498-1509, October.
    16. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Füßler, David, 2021. "The forgotten sons: Warehousing systems for brick-and-mortar retail chains," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(2), pages 361-381.

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