A Study on Returns Logistics Operating Mode in E-business Environment

The issue of returns is something unavoidable and headachy for online companies. However, the effective and efficient operation of returns logistics will probably be a competitive advantage for these companies. The paper firstly gives a brief literature review, and then analyzes the returns logistics system in e-business environment. According to the level of control exercised upon the returns logistics business and the degree of third-party providers' involvement, several operating modes of returns logistics system are presented and compared in terms of customer service, cost, technology, etc. Finally, some implementing strategies of returns logistics are discussed, with the hope of providing some valuable approaches of returns logistics operation for online merchants