Narvar Return Drop-off Network Expands in Japan With Lawson, Inc. and SMARI

Narvar is excited to announce its partnership with Japanese convenience store franchise Lawson, Inc. to offer returns consolidation and contactless, label-free returns via 3,000 SMARI return lockers located in Lawson stores across Tokyo, Kansai, and Nagoya. 

With Narvar, retailers and brands can provide consumers with exceptional return experiences that build loyalty and drive revenue. For example, brands like ASICS, an international sportswear company, can offer customers a flexible, hassle-free global return experience. Consumers can now scan a QR code and leave their return inside a SMARI locker located within the Lawson store. Then, Lawson uses its existing logistics and transportation network to accept, process, and transport the return, resulting in 20-30% cheaper operational costs.

“By leveraging Narvar Return Concierge and offering returns via SMARI lockers, we can cost-effectively and efficiently provide customers with convenient, customer-friendly return options.”

Takeshi Ohwada, General Manager, Digital Commerce at ASICS 

“It’s imperative that we offer a great return experience for our customers in order to foster brand loyalty and future purchases,” explains Takeshi Ohwada, General Manager, Digital Commerce at ASICS. “By leveraging Narvar Return Concierge and offering returns via SMARI lockers, we can cost-effectively and efficiently provide customers with convenient, customer-friendly return options.” 

Continued Momentum For Narvar Returns Concierge

Today’s news comes on the heels of a U.S. program that furthers the reach of Narvar Return Concierge. In partnership with Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions, Narvar now offers return consolidation capabilities for items dropped off at 1,100+ locations participating in The Return Drop @ Kohl’s—all orchestrated and managed via Narvar’s Return & Exchange platform. 

Immense Program Benefits for Brands and Their Customers 

Brands are already enjoying the benefits of this partnership in Japan, including: 

• Improved cost efficiency. Returns consolidation at easy-to-use drop-off locations helps operators achieve a 20-30% reduction in return processing and transportation costs. 
• Best-in-class customer experience. Narvar's latest data, for example, reveals that 65% of shoppers prioritize convenience when choosing their preferred return method, with the majority favoring physical store locations for their returns. This partnership ensures that brands are able to meet these customer demands without the overhead of managing a storefront. 
• Sustainable return solutions. Consumers seek sustainable return options, and consolidated transportation can reduce truck emissions by 50%, compared to ship-by-mail return options. SMARI takes advantage of the cargo space available in Lawson delivery trucks. By using Lawson’s logistics network, there's no need for separate truck trips, which reduces the carbon footprint. 

This expansion of Narvar Return Concierge is another step forward in Narvar’s commitment to providing the best possible returns experience, granting consumers the convenience and choice they desire, while streamlining and simplifying a brand’s reverse supply chain. 

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