Label printer manufacturer, BIXOLON Europe, has pointed towards mobile linerless label printers as a key technology for efficiently handling retail returns
A recently published report on consumer habits has predicted that returns will cost the UK retail sector £27bn in 2024.
According to a report from returns software solutions provider, ZigZag, and economics research consultancy, Retail Economics, of the £129.6bn of online non-food purchases predicted in 2024, £27bn of these products will be returned.
In the publication, titled ‘The Cost of Serial Returners’, ZigZag comments on what it sees as crisis for the retail sector, saying: “As ecommerce thrives, a silent crisis of serial returns is eroding retail profit margins like never before. Beyond financial losses, online returns create both operational and sustainability challenges for retailers.”
The Christmas period is highlighted as a key time for returns, caused in large part by the returning of unwanted gifts. The New Year reportedly sees the highest proportion of returns for the retail sector, with this pattern continuing long into January.
According to Jay Kim, managing director of receipt and label printer manufacturer, BIXOLON Europe, tackling the issue of returns can provide opportunities for manufacturers of label printers.
Speaking of the returns issue highlighted by the ZigZag report, Kim says: “£27bn is a lot of waste. Products that were expected to increase profits can end up costing the business financial and human resources to take them back and into circulation for resale.
“The efficient handling of returns is essential to minimise financial and resource losses.”
Kim points towards mobile linerless printers as a key solution to the issue of efficient returns handling, highlighting their mobility, flexibility, and efficiency.
Kim continues: “Solutions like mobile linerless label printers can play a vital role in addressing these challenges.
“They speed up the relabelling and restocking process. This enables faster resale and reduces waste. These tools also offer flexibility and allow staff to manage returns effectively instore or in warehouses.
“Staff can hang the printers on their belts and wander around a store or warehouse to use them appropriately. Also, since no backing is produced when a linerless label is printed, there is less waste created.”
BIXOLON Europe offers a range of mobile label printers ranging from its 2-inch XM7-20 model to its industrial 4-inch XM7-40. The XM7-20 includes a standard 128MB of RAM and 256MB of memory, upgradable to 256MB of SDRAM and 512MB of memory.
Kim adds: “As the cost of returns escalates, adopting these technologies can support profitability and sustainability. While retailers explore options like charging for returns, efficient systems become even more vital for balancing customer expectations and operational needs.”
