Supply chains are under increasing pressure to handle higher volumes, tighter delivery expectations, and more complex flows with fewer resources and less tolerance for error. This article explores five key trends shaping the shift from basic operational visibility to measurable business value.

Redesign the operating model, not just the network, the annual report's authors concluded.

Today, dashboards flag costly return rates, suspicious refund activity, or locations with abnormal behaviors. The insights are helpful, but typically arrive after the fact.

Every product that comes back into a supply chain activates a network of human touchpoints.

For supply chain leaders, the focus is determining where circular strategies create value, and where their complexity outweighs the benefits.

Returnable Transport Items (RTI) losses of 10–15% and lack of real-time visibility are critical bottlenecks in peak-season supply chains. RFID and BLE tracking enable end-to-end asset visibility, reducing costs, improving throughput, and strengthening operational resilience.

Resilient supply are better prepared to manage a recall, thanks to proper preparation and training, integrated systems and data, and alignment with trading partners. 

Technology, regulation and global data standards are coming together to create more connected, transparent supply chains that can respond to safety risks with more speed and precision.

Accessible and accurate returns data, collaboration between retailers and returns partners, and advances in software and AI, are all helping to tackle the growing problem of returns fraud.

Return rates have more than doubled since 2019, and will reach 17% this holiday season.