Podcast
eCom Logistics Podcast
Hosted by Fulfillment IQ, Ninaad Acharya, Dan Coll · EN
Get the inside perspective on how successful supply chain technology companies and e-commerce fulfillment providers win in today's competitive landscape. eCom Logistics Podcast gives you insights from the top leaders and experts to get you the answers to your most pressing supply chain issues.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Tech-Driven Returns: Optoro's Amena Ali on Optimizing Reverse Logistics
Sep 16, 202400:42:54Tap to summarizeABOUT THE GUESTAmena Ali is the CEO of Optoro, a leader in reverse logistics technology. With a career that spans over 25 years, she has held pivotal roles in companies like MCI, Bain & Company, and several software firms. At Optoro, Amena leads the charge in tackling the multi-billion-dollar returns problem, working with major retailers such as Gap and Best Buy. Her expertise in product marketing, finance, and business development makes her a thought leader in logistics innovation, helping retailers and brands optimize their return management systems for better customer experiences and sustainability.HIGHLIGHTS[00:01:30] – Growing returns problem and its environmental impact.[00:02:30] – The surge in return rates since the pandemic and the need for retailers to adapt.[00:04:00] – Amena's career journey.[00:08:47] – Returns Management System (RMS).[00:14:58] – The "art and science of dispositioning".[00:27:30] – The role of AI, robotics, and data science in reducing return processing costs.[00:36:30] – Addressing fraud and authenticity with data capture and blockchain technology.QUOTES:[00:01:31] – "The trends are pretty stark since the pandemic. Returns are up 3.5x, with rates as high as 30% for some goods. It’s a monumental problem that’s not going away." – Amena Ali[00:02:30] – "We need to come up with a win-win-win solution: a win for shoppers, retailers, and the environment." – Amena Ali[00:06:09] – "Work-life balance isn’t the goal anymore; it’s about finding a sustainable work-life integration." – Amena Ali[00:14:58] – "Returns are two to three times more labor-intensive than forward logistics. The longer it takes to process, the more you lose in recovery." – Amena Ali[00:36:37] – "You need data to spot who’s a trustworthy shopper and who isn’t." – Amena Ali FIND MORE ABOUT THE GUEST:Website: OptoroLinkedIn: Amena AliWhite Paper: WMS vs RMS: A Guide to Return Management Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube
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Expert Panel: Fighting Returns Fraud & Boosting Revenue in Reverse Logistics
Sep 11, 202400:45:04Tap to summarizeABOUT THE GUESTSAmena Ali, CEO of Optoro, has 15+ years of experience in returns and reverse logistics. Optoro provides a complete returns management platform, helping major brands manage returns more efficiently, focusing on sustainability and circularity.Jonathan Poma, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Board of Loop, leads a platform that handles return management for Shopify merchants, processing millions of returns every month and routing products back into resale channels.Gayle Tait, Former CEO of Trove, drives innovation in the resale space by enabling brands to power trade-in and resale programs, helping them recapture value from returned items and reduce environmental impact.Kyle Bertin, Co-founder and CEO of Two Boxes, focuses on improving return processing in warehouses through advanced, agnostic technology, optimizing efficiency and sustainability for brands across North America.Julian Mitchell, Co-founder and CIO of G2 Reverse Logistics, brings a deep focus on using data analytics and AI to help brands optimize returns processes, reduce costs, and re-commerce products.HIGHLIGHTS[00:06:00] The revenue potential of resale programs.[00:12:00] The multi-layered nature of reverse logistics.[00:24:00] The importance of data-driven decision-making.[00:32:00] The growing challenge of returns fraud in ecommerce.[00:41:00] The hidden costs of “free” returns for retailers.QUOTES:[00:07:00] – "Recommerce captures new customers by reselling returned items at a lower price, adding value for brands." – Gayle Tait[00:25:00] – "We need a flexible platform that integrates across WMS, TMS, and other logistics systems to truly optimize reverse logistics." – Amena Ali[00:32:00] – "Returns fraud and returns abuse is like a hundred-billion-dollar problem in the US." – Jonathan Poma[00:33:00] – "Automation creates new fraud vectors, but we can use AI and data analytics to predict and prevent these frauds." – Jonathan Poma[00:40:00] – "There are bad actors not just on the consumer side, but within warehouses, and brands need more data to detect and prevent fraud at every level." – Kyle BertinFind More About the Guest Panelists:Amena AliLinkedIn: Amena AliWebsite: Optoro.comJonathan PomaLinkedIn: Jonathan PomaWebsite: LoopReturns.comGayle TaitLinkedIn: Gayle TaitWebsite: Trove.comKyle BertinLinkedIn: Kyle BertinWebsite: TwoBoxes.comJulian MitchellLinkedIn: Julian MitchellWebsite: G2RL.com Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube
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Peak Season Roundtable 2023 with Rick Watson and Nate Skiver
Sep 14, 2023Tap to summarizeRick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC., he’s an eCommerce veteran with over two decades of experience. He founded RMW Commerce Consulting and played a crucial role in creating the WHP+ platform. Rick also hosts "The Watson Weekly'' podcast and has appeared on various news programs and industry events like Shoptalk.Nate Skiver, Founder of LPF Spend Management, is a parcel transportation and eCommerce delivery expert with 20 years of experience. He previously worked for Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap Inc., managing global parcel programs. Nate is a thought leader in parcel and eCommerce delivery, contributing articles to PARCEL Magazine and being featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, hosts Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya are joined by e-commerce veterans Rick Watson and Nate Skiver to provide valuable insights into the e-commerce peak season in 2023. The discussion covers various aspects, including capacity concerns in small parcel delivery, the influence of promotions and discounts on consumer spending, and the challenges of managing inventory and avoiding out-of-stocks during peak season.The guests emphasize the importance of preparation and scenario planning, sharing their own experiences and lessons learned from past peak seasons. They also discuss the evolving dynamics of peak season, with a shift towards earlier sales and the need for retailers to stay agile and responsive to changing consumer behaviors and economic conditions.Overall, this episode offers valuable advice and strategies for navigating the e-commerce peak season successfully in 2023QUOTES[00:22:51] "Capacity itself, I don't see being a constraint or challenge. But allocating the volume and managing it between carriers might be kind of the other direction." - Nate Skiver[00:28:44] "Returns cost six to eight dollars. If you want to return to them directly now, um, you can't just drop it by the UPS store anymore." - Rick Watson[00:26:12] "The decisions were made six months ago, and I remember six months ago, even thinking about our own business, there was an environment of fear." - Ninaad Acharya[00:34:34] "If less than 50 percent of your digital orders are shipped from the store, then you should probably be very careful what you're offering." - Rick WatsonFind out more about Rick and Nate in the link below:Rick’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecommercestrategyconsulting/Nate’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levelplayingfield/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube
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