The Challenges of Reverse Logistics and the Cost of Returns
Explicit content warning
03/16/24 • 35 min
In this episode of "Not Another eComm Podcast," host Ian Kaneshiro welcomes Kevin Lawton, a seasoned professional in the field of distribution and operations management within the warehouse and logistics sector.
Kevin Lawton is the founder of The New Warehouse and has been working in the distribution and logistics industry since 2012 when he began his career as a temp employee in the Inventory department at Simon & Schuster.
Kevin shares the challenges and intricacies of the industry, including the rise of e-commerce, the impact of companies like Amazon, and the growing problem of returns. With insights into the logistics behind getting a package to your doorstep, this episode sheds light on the unsung heroes of the supply chain.
Timestamp
0:00:06 | Introduction to the importance of logistics in online shopping
0:00:33 | Kevin Lawton's background and experience in the warehouse industry
0:01:59 | The inspiration behind starting The New Warehouse podcast
0:03:52 | The expansion of The New Warehouse into a media company and opening their own fulfillment center
0:09:15 | Balancing logistics cost and customer service levels in supply chain management
0:11:14 | The impact of Amazon on consumer expectations for fast delivery
0:11:26 | The challenge for brands to compete with Amazon's logistics capabilities
0:11:56 | Optimizing logistics costs and meeting customer expectations
0:12:08 | Amazon's logistics network and the cost of convenience
0:13:21 | Amazon's brand perception and affordability
0:15:07 | The importance of Amazon as a marketing channel
0:16:12 | The desire for direct website traffic for better margins
0:19:23 | The potential shift from free shipping to customer-paid shipping
0:22:07 | The impact of returns on costs and potential changes in return policies
0:23:09 | The expensive process of reverse logistics and the last mile
0:24:28 | Amazon's solutions for the first mile of reverse logistics
0:25:58 | Kevin explains the inspection process for returned products.
0:29:13 | Ian reflects on the growing problem of returns and its impact on logistics and the environment.
0:31:24 | Kevin mentions the recommerce programs of brands like Patagonia
0:32:06 | The sustainability efforts of some brands in handling returns
0:32:54 | The complexity of logistics and the importance of understanding the supply chain process
0:34:23 | Conclusion and Final Discussions
Connect with our guests:
https://www.thenewwarehouse.com/
Connect with our host:
Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iankaneshiro/
Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iankaneshiro_
Stay connected with Seller Snap:
Website: https://www.sellersnap.io/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/seller-snap-inc./
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sellersnap.io/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/sellersnap.io/
Full video episodes are always uploaded on YouTube.
Not Another eComm Podcast By Seller Snap- helping sellers optimize their Amazon store through smart algorithmic repricing.
Seller Snap offers all Amazon sellers a 15-day free trial - find out if we are the right repricer for you and your Amazon store. Visit https://bit.ly/3UyoByZ
In this episode of "Not Another eComm Podcast," host Ian Kaneshiro welcomes Kevin Lawton, a seasoned professional in the field of distribution and operations management within the warehouse and logistics sector.
Kevin Lawton is the founder of The New Warehouse and has been working in the distribution and logistics industry since 2012 when he began his career as a temp employee in the Inventory department at Simon & Schuster.
Kevin shares the challenges and intricacies of the industry, including the rise of e-commerce, the impact of companies like Amazon, and the growing problem of returns. With insights into the logistics behind getting a package to your doorstep, this episode sheds light on the unsung heroes of the supply chain.
Timestamp
0:00:06 | Introduction to the importance of logistics in online shopping
0:00:33 | Kevin Lawton's background and experience in the warehouse industry
0:01:59 | The inspiration behind starting The New Warehouse podcast
0:03:52 | The expansion of The New Warehouse into a media company and opening their own fulfillment center
0:09:15 | Balancing logistics cost and customer service levels in supply chain management
0:11:14 | The impact of Amazon on consumer expectations for fast delivery
0:11:26 | The challenge for brands to compete with Amazon's logistics capabilities
0:11:56 | Optimizing logistics costs and meeting customer expectations
0:12:08 | Amazon's logistics network and the cost of convenience
0:13:21 | Amazon's brand perception and affordability
0:15:07 | The importance of Amazon as a marketing channel
0:16:12 | The desire for direct website traffic for better margins
0:19:23 | The potential shift from free shipping to customer-paid shipping
0:22:07 | The impact of returns on costs and potential changes in return policies
0:23:09 | The expensive process of reverse logistics and the last mile
0:24:28 | Amazon's solutions for the first mile of reverse logistics
0:25:58 | Kevin explains the inspection process for returned products.
0:29:13 | Ian reflects on the growing problem of returns and its impact on logistics and the environment.
0:31:24 | Kevin mentions the recommerce programs of brands like Patagonia
0:32:06 | The sustainability efforts of some brands in handling returns
0:32:54 | The complexity of logistics and the importance of understanding the supply chain process
0:34:23 | Conclusion and Final Discussions
Connect with our guests:
https://www.thenewwarehouse.com/
Connect with our host:
Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iankaneshiro/
Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iankaneshiro_
Stay connected with Seller Snap:
Website: https://www.sellersnap.io/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/seller-snap-inc./
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sellersnap.io/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/sellersnap.io/
Full video episodes are always uploaded on YouTube.
Not Another eComm Podcast By Seller Snap- helping sellers optimize their Amazon store through smart algorithmic repricing.
Seller Snap offers all Amazon sellers a 15-day free trial - find out if we are the right repricer for you and your Amazon store. Visit https://bit.ly/3UyoByZ
Previous Episode
Unleashing the Potential of Amazon Advertising: How SellerApp Can Help You Dominate Your Niche
In this episode of "Not Another eComm Podcast," host Ian Kaneshiro welcomes Priyanka Bohra, a seasoned leader with an impressive background in both finance and marketing.
Priyanka Bohra is a multi-faceted leader with a combination of finance, marketing, and leadership instincts. Most recently, she also served as the CEO of Opal Advertising and Marketing, a platform for businesses to improve their visibility and growth before joining SellerApp.
Today, Priyanka plays a significant role at SellerApp, a leading e-commerce data analytics platform utilizing AI and machine learning technologies. Her experience helps online businesses maximize their potential on Amazon. SellerApp serves a vast clientele, including renowned names like Phillips and Samsung, and extends its reach to over 21,000 sellers globally.
Timestamp | Summary
0:00:06 | Skoda's challenge of launching the Kamek compact SUV in a competitive market
0:01:06 | Importance of advertising strategy in redefining a brand
0:04:39 | How Seller App caters to different seller segments
0:06:02 | Goals and methodologies for new brands entering the advertising world
0:08:04 | The importance of both organic and paid advertising
0:09:22 | Determining the budget allocation between organic and paid advertising
0:10:44 | Example of a brand excelling in organic reach but struggling with paid advertising
0:15:17 | Building keyword lists and bidding on relevant keywords is crucial for sponsored placements.
0:16:37 | Budget optimization and strategic ad placement, such as day parting, can improve advertising effectiveness.
0:17:10 | Sponsored products are commonly used to promote individual product listings.
0:21:06 | Targeting options, such as interest-based targeting, can help smaller businesses compete with larger brands.
0:21:51 | Retargeting can be done through multiple touchpoints and analyzing customer behavior.
0:23:51 | Priyanka plans to advertise her new shampoo brand on competitors' product pages.
0:25:27 | Priyanka mentions the various ad formats available on Amazon advertising.
0:28:48 | Priyanka mentions the continued growth of omnichannel retail and the importance of convenience for customers.
0:30:01 | Ian thanks Priyanka for sharing her expertise and discussing the updates and growth of Amazon.
Connect with our guests:
http://www.sellerapp.com/
Connect with our host:
Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iankaneshiro/
Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iankaneshiro_
Stay connected with Seller Snap:
Website: https://www.sellersnap.io/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/seller-snap-inc./
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sellersnap.io/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/sellersnap.io/
Full video episodes are always uploaded on YouTube.
Not Another eComm Podcast By Seller Snap- helping sellers optimize their Amazon store through smart algorithmic repricing.
Seller Snap offers all Amazon sellers a 15-day free trial - find out if we are the right repricer for you and your Amazon store. Visit https://bit.ly/3UyoByZ
Next Episode
Amazon Expert Pete Nelson Shares Insights on Recommerce Success and Building Meaningful Connections
In this episode of "Not Another eComm Podcast," host Ian Kaneshiro chats with the eCommerce maestro Pete Nelson, diving into the world of Amazon retail. The conversation sails through Pete's trajectory from a side hustler to a seasoned Amazon advocate while laying out a roadmap for listeners to embark on their own eCommerce adventures.
Pete Nelson is an Amazon eCommerce expert and podcaster known for his success in the online retail space. With a track record of flipping finds into fortunes, Pete's journey began with niche collectibles on eBay and evolved into a full-time Amazon operation leveraging Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) services.
Tune in as Pete Nelson highlights the significant shift from a one-man eBay operation to a scalable Amazon business model!
Timestamp
0:00:06 | Pete Nelson's journey from reselling on eBay to selling on Amazon
0:01:32 | Transitioning from eBay to Amazon and the importance of networking
0:03:44 | The benefits of being part of an online community for Amazon sellers
0:05:22 | The challenges of working in a silo and the importance of finding like-minded individuals
0:07:17 | The opportunities for small businesses
0:09:58 | The rise of AI and its impact on small businesses
0:11:36 | The concerns and challenges of hustle culture and finding a work-life balance
0:12:14 | Two extremes of hustle culture: not hustling vs. grinding excessively
0:12:41 | Transitioning from hustle mindset to business-oriented approach
0:13:36 | Importance of finding a balance in work and supporting the team
0:15:51 | The value of allowing employees to take care of themselves
0:16:31 | Potential shift towards spaces that prioritize work-life balance
0:18:28 | The positive impact of empathetic and compassionate small business owners
0:19:28 | Generational stereotypes about work ethic
0:20:18 | The abundance of opportunities for the current generation
0:23:23 | Overcoming the fear of starting and focusing on the right things
0:24:25 | Importance of starting with what you enjoy and having zero expectations
0:25:50 | Advice on focusing and scrolling to the bottom of favorite creators' feeds
0:26:43 | The importance of focus and doubling down on one thing
0:29:42 | Building meaningful connections and finding like-minded people
0:30:12 | Conclusion and appreciation for the conversation
Connect with our guests:
https://twitter.com/PetesFlips
Connect with our host:
Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iankaneshiro/
Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iankaneshiro_
Stay connected with Seller Snap:
Website: https://www.sellersnap.io/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/seller-snap-inc./
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sellersnap.io/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/sellersnap.io/
Full video episodes are always uploaded on YouTube.
Not Another eComm Podcast By Seller Snap- helping sellers optimize their Amazon store through smart algorithmic repricing.
Seller Snap offers all Amazon sellers a 15-day free trial - find out if we are the right repricer for you and your Amazon store. Visit https://bit.ly/3UyoByZ
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/not-another-ecomm-podcast-508092/the-challenges-of-reverse-logistics-and-the-cost-of-returns-66700467"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to the challenges of reverse logistics and the cost of returns on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy