Reverse logistics platform provider Optoro and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) developer Locus Robotics have formed a strategic partnership to provide a fully integrated and scalable software and robotics automation solution for high volume retail e-commerce returns processing.
Optoro’s returns technology platform is being integrated with Locus’s AMR solution to turn order returns into “a strategic advantage,” the two firms noted. By using data science and real-time decision-making automation to determine the best path for each returned item, the technology-powered returns solution can improve efficiency, maximize repurchases and recovery, reduce labour costs, and reduce environmental waste.
“Partnering with Locus enables us to deliver a proven robotics automation solution that is well positioned to meet the high throughput demands of today’s return centres,” said Amena Ali, Chief Executive Officer at Optoro. “Together, we can help retailers move inventory faster and more efficiently through the supply chain, cut costs, minimize their environmental impact, and improve the customer experience.”
“A proven solution”
Locus’s robotics automation solution enables operators to manage large-scale AMR fleets to speed up returns processing, minimize restocking challenges, and lower labour costs by scaling up and down whenever demand changes.
The Locus solution delivers enterprise-level, large scale e-commerce automation that is ideal for high throughput, 24/7 operations, deployed in both single-level and multi-level mezzanine environments.
“Returns and reverse logistics have historically been high-volume, high-cost functions that are typically quite complicated. We believe our partnership with Optoro will provide 3PLs, retailers, warehouse operators, and others a repeatable, efficient, and proven solution,” said Al Dekin, Chief Revenue Officer at Locus Robotics.
“During the recent peak season, Locus had several sites operating more than 500 LocusBots apiece, and dozens of others with more than 100 bots each. Our experience and success in deploying large fleets not only instils the confidence our customers require, but the speed at which we can deploy is equally critical,” Dekin added.
The growth of returns
According to the National Retail Federation, US retail returns totalled $816 billion in 2022, with e-commerce returns totalling $212 billion, both more than doubled their totals from 2019.
From product returns to refurbishment and repairs, to recycling of packaged materials, and disposing of end-of-life products, reverse logistics involves many areas across the organization, including returns management, sales, finance, warehousing, logistics, recycling management, and environmental compliance. It is also a critical element of the customer experience.
Optoro is a provider of returns technology for retailers and brands, using data science and real-time decision-making automation to make returns better for customers, retailers, and the planet. The company offers an “easy online customer returns portal,” warehouse processing and resale software to improve outcomes across all points in the returns process.
