--- title: Returns Management - Introduction description: Every company needs a reverse supply chain to deal with product returns. An introduction to Returns Management. --- [![12return transparent 270x63](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20assets/Logo%2012return/12return%20transparent%20270x63.png)](https://www.12return.com) - SOLUTIONS ### [Retain customers with frictionless returns An easy returns process with a local shipping experience that gives peace of mind to your customer.](https://www.12return.com/retain-customers-with-frictionless-returns) ### [Reduce time for fast refunds and restocking Effective returns processing and product disposition in your own warehouses or at your fulfillment provider.](https://www.12return.com/reduce-time-for-fast-refunds-and-restocking) ### [Reuse products for a new purpose Secure products for reselling to a new local customer or for reuse in any other way.](https://www.12return.com/reuse-products-for-a-new-purpose) - PRODUCTS ### [Return initiation Portals for end-customers and support agents to initiate returns for any return policy.](https://www.12return.com/return-portal) ### [Shipping & Tracking Integrated carriers services that can be used with your or our shipping rates.](https://www.12return.com/reverse-logistics) ### [Processing Tools and services for processing returns in your or our locations.](https://www.12return.com/operations) ### [Manage Personal dashboard for support agents and logistics teams to manage returns.](https://www.12return.com/merchant-dashboard) ### [Notifications & Messaging Tools to keep every person and system informed about the status of a return.](https://www.12return.com/notifications-messaging) ### [Data & Insights Tools to discover insights from the data of your returns process.](https://www.12return.com/data-insights) - RESOURCES ### [Program The 12return program has been designed to co-create success in your returns process.](https://www.12return.com/program) ### [Whitepapers Whitepapers and more to get inspired about returns management.](https://www.12return.com/whitepapers) ### [Developer Learn how to integrate with the 12return platform.](https://developer.returnbird.com/) ### [GDPR We take data security serious.](https://www.12return.com/general-data-protection-regulation) - COMPANY ### [Our story On a mission to transform the supply chain to be circular.](https://www.12return.com/our-story) ### [Contact Contact us at any time for a discussion about returns.](https://www.12return.com/contact) ### [Blog Get inspired about returns management.](https://www.12return.com/company/blog) ### [Newsroom Be informed about what's happening at 12return.](https://www.12return.com/company/newsroom) [CONTACT US](https://www.12return.com/contact) ACADEMY # Introduction to Returns Management Three global trends, direct-to-customer commerce, the subscription economy, and the circular economy all lead to product returns. Companies that sell products need to be prepared for product returns. On this page we explain the Why, How, and What about returns management. For more in-depth material you can also take this returns management course. EBOOK ### Get our free ebook on how you can level up your returns process [GET EBOOK](https://www.12return.com/resources/returns-management-ebook) [![book_mockup](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20images/book_mockup.png)](https://www.12return.com/resources/returns-management-ebook) WHY ### Returns management is important - Customers have multiple reasons to return - The reverse supply chain delivers stakeholders value HOW ### The supply chain should transform - Companies need return cycles in their supply chain - The reverse supply chain needs a business process WHAT ### Is needed to make this transition - Implement a returns management process WHY ## Returns management is important ![Return Reasons_blue](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20images/Illustrations/Return%20Reasons_blue.svg) ## The customer journey continues after the delivery Customers have multiple reasons to return while using a product. When returning a product customers ask for service. The service journey offers new opportunities for interaction with the customer. ![Value Creation](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20images/Illustrations/Value%20Creation.svg) ## The reverse supply chain offers many opportunities Returns can be a burden but are an opportunity if managed well. The Reverse Supply Chain delivers value in 5 different areas. HOW ## The supply chain should transform ![Return Cycles_blue](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20images/Illustrations/Return%20Cycles_blue.svg) ## The supply chain needs to be circular Companies need return cycles in their supply chain to support product returns in different phases while the customer is using the product. ![Returns Management process](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20images/Illustrations/Returns%20Management%20process.svg) ## The reverse supply chain needs a business process Return-to-Settlement is a new business process and includes a customer part and an operational part. It completes the suite of business processes for the Supply Chain. WHAT ## Is needed to make this transition ![Returns Management](https://www.12return.com/hubfs/Website%20images/Illustrations/Returns%20Management.svg) ## Implement a returns management process The Return-to-Settlement process includes 4 processes to manage customer returns. Returns Disposition recovers the value of returned products in existing or new value chains. ## Learn more 12Return wants to contribute to a better understanding of the reverse supply chain and returns management. [RETHINK RETURNS](https://www.rethinkreturns.com/) [12RETURN ACADEMY](https://medium.com/12return-academy) 12return is a tech-powered returns service for cross-border commerce. On the 12return platform, you can connect the frontend and backend returns processes into a connected returns process that is up to the challenges of returns. ### Products - [Return Initiation](https://www.12return.com/return-portal) - [Shipping & Tracking](https://www.12return.com/reverse-logistics) - [Processing](https://www.12return.com/operations) - [Manage](https://www.12return.com/merchant-dashboard) - [Notifications & Messaging](https://www.12return.com/notifications-messaging) - [Data & Insights](https://www.12return.com/data-insights) ### Integrations - [E-commerce systems](https://www.12return.com/ecommerce-systems) - [Marketplaces](https://www.12return.com/market-places) - [Carrier services](https://www.12return.com/carrier-services) - [Productivity tools](https://www.12return.com/productivity-tools) - [Revalue channels](https://www.12return.com/revalue-channels) - [Fulfilment](https://www.12return.com/fulfillment) ### Resources - [Community](https://12return.circle.so/home) - [Program](https://www.12return.com/program) - [Partner program](https://www.12return.com/partner-program) - [Whitepapers](https://www.12return.com/whitepapers) - [GDPR](https://www.12return.com/general-data-protection-regulation) - [Developer](https://developer.12return.com/) ### Company - [Our story](https://www.12return.com/our-story) - [Contact](https://www.12return.com/contact) - [Blog](https://www.12return.com/company/blog) - [Newsroom](https://www.12return.com/company/newsroom) © 2024 12return is part of Shipcloud · All rights reserved · [Privacy Policy](https://www.12return.com/privacy-policy-website) [Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)