Oh, sure, go on and do it by yourself. Just try to run the company without any help. Treat suppliers like you don't need them. Go on! If there's a recipe for disaster, that's probably it: acting like you don't need anybody else's cooperation, input or ideas. The reality is quite a bit different though, isn't it? No company, no supply chain, exists in a vacuum. We do rely on each other, because no one of us can do it all, successfully, by ourselves. We need partners. Ah, but which partners – which ones are right for you?

Product returns are typically seen as a necessary headache and a cost drain. But companies can use their return policies to enhance customer loyalty and increase profits.

Li Tong Group is partnering with Microsoft Hong Kong to offer consumers a means of trading in mobile phones, laptops, game consoles and tablets for coupons that can be applied toward purchases of all products available at Microsoft's online store.

Newmine, a global consulting firm focusing on the omnichannel retail sector, has developed the Customer Returns Assessment Program (RAP).

Accenture has launched the Accenture Analytics Applications Platform.

Redbox has an unusual supply chain, with 10 new product introductions a week and no replenishments. An algorithm effectively allocates new DVD's among 43,000 kiosks, but this allocation is quickly skewed when customers use different kiosks to rent and return. Matt James, vice president, explains how the company solves this problem.