L I T E R AT U R E R E V I E W Embracing Returns Internet sales account for a fifth of total UK retail sales (ASCG, 2020:6). E-commerce has drastically altered consumer shopping behaviours; returns are now a retail normality, with ‘estimates that returns cost UK retailers £60bn a year’ (Ram, 2016). With returns an ongoing inevitability, capitalising on RL/CLSC systems from an economic perspective, could reduce fashions environmental impact. Traditional Supply Chains Forward supply/value chains are processes fulfilling customer requests (Burns, 2019:2), including supplying materials, manufacturing processes; distributing finished goods through a network of retailers to final consumers (Burns, 2019:113). Symbolising the value-added aspects of each stage in creating products, companies make ‘sourcing decisions around procuring materials, production systems, and distribution pipelines (Burns, Mullet & Bryant, 2016, p.256)’ (Burns, 2019:113). Sourcing decisions are influenced by
RL /CLSC Capacities for Small Fashion Retailers
internalised operations (brand ethos, equipment accessibility; capacities) and externalised factors (political, geographical, economic and outsourcing considerations). Brand ethos typically determines a framework before applying ‘vertical integration and contracting’ (Burns, 2019:114) as supply chain management (SCM) approaches. RL/CLSC Govindan et al. (2015:2) classify RL as ‘planning, implementing and controlling efficient, cost-effective flows of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from consumption to the point of origin for recapturing’. Whilst Ronald and Dale (2002:271) define it as opposite direction product movement recapturing value, or for proper disposal. RL generally encompasses product returns, end-of-life disposal schemes; asset value recovery strategies. Appendix 1 outlines situational differences between forward and reverse logistics.
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