eXPD8 Field Marketing Case Study - Returns

Our Client's stock return process was cumbersome and inefficient, and entailed starting with a ‘Returns Authorisation' document and attempting to match the stock to it. Fundamentally the process did not work, with consequence that stock built up in store causing discontent in Retail Operations, and inhibiting the flow of new stock to the shop floor.

The essential challenge was to reverse the way returns worked, providing a solution that allowed a return to be initiated from the product.

eXPD8 solved the problem by creating a returns application which was hosted on the eXPD8 handheld devices. The process worked by;

• Receiving and importing a ‘catalogue' file (range supplied) and weekly store unique ranging file (live lines) from the client each week.
• Appending the product data to appropriate returns calls, and on synchronisation, sending the data sent to the PDA.
• After selecting the call, the Merchandiser would open the returns function, and would scan the product barcode.
• The function would inform the merchandiser whether the stock was Live or Returnable, and if returnable, a quantity would be keyed.
• The process would be repeated until the carton was complete, whereupon it would be allocated a unique number.
• The Merchandiser would scan the carrier barcode and continue with the next carton.
• When the Return was complete, a store management signature was collected, and the data synchronised centrally.
• Overnight, the Carton Specific returns data was automatically sent to our client, and a summary sent to the carrier.

The key benefits are 

• More efficient use of field marketing resource
• Reduced stockholding with emptier and more efficient stockrooms.
• Improved shopfloor availability.
• Reduced Shrinkage and damages
• More timely return of stock
• Improved Warehouse processes

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