The Smart Retailer’s Checklist for Returns

Returns are evolving—your platform should too. Whether you're looking to protect margin, prevent fraud, or elevate the consumer experience, your returns solution must be intelligent, scalable, and deeply data-driven.

That’s why we’ve created this checklist: to help high-growth retailers choose a returns management platform that not only meets the moment—but also scales with it. From optimizing reverse logistics to identifying bad actors without alienating good consumers, the right platform empowers you to preserve revenue, retain customers, and increase operational efficiency.

Checklist Criteria ✅

1. Ease of Integration

☐ Cloud-based architecture with flexible deployment options
☐ Prebuilt integrations with key OMS, WMS, and ecommerce platforms
☐ Scalable infrastructure to support growth and regional expansion

2. Customer-Centric Experience

☐ Intuitive, mobile-friendly self-service return portal
☐ Label-free, box-free drop-off options across a wide geographic network
☐ Dynamic, trust-based return outcomes (e.g., instant refunds for VIPs)

3. Automation & Intelligent Routing

☐ Automated return approval for low-risk scenarios
☐ Rules-based routing by geography, vendor, and inventory availability
☐ Logic-driven dispositioning (restock, refurbish, return-to-vendor)

4. Fraud Prevention & Risk Management

☐ Real-time fraud detection and behavioral scoring
☐ Enforced eligibility rules based on AI-driven policy logic
☐ Protection against wardrobing, empty-box scams, and repeat abusers

5. Revenue Retention & Upsell Opportunities

☐ Options that drive retained revenue (e.g., exchanges, store credit)
☐ Personalized product recommendations embedded in the return flow
☐ Incentives tied to loyalty tiers or trust levels

6. Data-Driven Insights & Reporting

☐ Return reason capture at SKU and customer levels
☐ Trend analysis to surface operational and product issues
☐ Signals to inform pre-purchase decisions and lifecycle marketing

7. Scalability & Global Performance

☐ Support for international operations and time zones
☐ Access to a broad network of logistics partners and return locations
☐ High-performance infrastructure for peak volume handling

8. Ongoing Optimization & Services

☐ Access to implementation specialists and onboarding resources
☐ Ongoing optimization support including benchmarking and A/B testing
☐ Customization of return policies based on brand goals and segments

9. Measurable Business Impact

☐ Clear ROI metrics tied to fraud reduction, logistics savings, and retention
☐ Demonstrated reduction in return rates from policy enforcement
☐ Evidence of customer loyalty gains tied to return experience quality

Final Recommendation

Don’t settle for basic returns software. Demand a solution that thinks, learns, and protects. With IRIS™ at the core of Shield, Narvar's AI-powered returns management software, you're not just processing returns. You're maximizing revenue, automating with intelligence, and safeguarding loyalty at scale.‍

‍See why 1,500+ leading brands trust Narvar Shield and IRIS™ to power the future of returns.
Request a demo.