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Fulfilment Services

Returns handled with care.

Returns are a fundamental part of the flow. And when they’re handled knowledgeably, they’re more than a cost to manage. They’re a chance to protect loyalty, recover value, and strengthen your customer’s experience.

Should something come back, we treat every item, and every interaction, as if it were our own.

Built for brands with real return volumes

That care runs deep, especially in high-return sectors like fashion and footwear.

  1. Fashion brands
    With the highest returns percentage we appreciate the importance of keeping returns, refunds and stock flowing.
  2. Footwear brands
    Light rework options available to maximise resale, like spot cleaning or removing scuffs on footwear.
  3. Ecommerce brands
    Bespoke returns flows, tailored to your brand and commercial priorities.
  4. Brands wanting return visibility
    Every transaction is traceable in real-time via our portal, with full visibility for your customer service teams. 24/7.
Workers wearing white lab coats and face masks cleaning or inspecting dark jackets on blue metal racks in a factory setting.

What's on offer

Our process is built around speed, clarity and care:

  1. Scanned and inspected on arrival
    Each item is scanned, inspected to your standard, reason-coded with new packaging when required.
  2. Photographed for a clear record
    Every item can be photographed as part of the returns process.
  3. Processed within 48 hours
    Speed is of the essence, every item scanned, inspected, reason-coded and processed within 48 hours enabling fast refunds.
  4. Light rework where it counts
    Light rework options available to maximise resale, like spot cleaning or removing scuffs on footwear.
  5. Real-time returns portal
    Every transaction is traceable in real-time via our portal, with full visibility for your customer service teams. 24/7.
  6. Clear routes for non-perfect stock
    Multiple exit routes for stock, from outlet and donation to recycling or refurbishment.

Return rates by category

Return volumes vary by category. Here’s how fashion, footwear and ecommerce compare.

  • 20–30%
    Average return rates in fashion sit between 20–30%
  • Often exceeding 40%
    Categories like shoes often exceed 40% return rates.
  • Three times higher
    Across eCommerce more broadly, returns are typically three times higher than in-store purchases.
Woman wearing a neon safety vest and gloves holding a barcode scanner in a warehouse packed with boxes and plastic crates.

How a return moves through the warehouse

An on-site team working six days a week, fully integrated with SWAP or your preferred returns platform.

Arrival and scanning

We scan each return into your chosen platform so you can follow its progress

Inspection and reason coding

Inspect and reason-code every item, with attention to the details behind each return

Condition capture

Photograph each return so you have a clear record of its condition on arrival

Restock or hold for instruction

Items that pass inspection return to good stock. Others are flagged, scanned and held for your instruction, with exit routes agreed around your commercial priorities

How a return moves through the warehouse

An on-site team working six days a week, fully integrated with SWAP or your preferred returns platform.

Arrival and scanning

We scan each return into your chosen platform so you can follow its progress

Inspection and reason coding

Inspect and reason-code every item, with attention to the details behind each return

Condition capture

Photograph each return so you have a clear record of its condition on arrival

Restock or hold for instruction

Items that pass inspection return to good stock. Others are flagged, scanned and held for your instruction, with exit routes agreed around your commercial priorities

Frequently asked questions

Our on-site returns team works six days a week. Every returned item is scanned, inspected, reason-coded and processed within 48 hours, so refunds can go out quickly and stock is available to sell again sooner.

Items that pass inspection go straight back into good stock. Anything else is flagged, scanned and held for your instruction. We also offer light rework, such as spot cleaning or scuff removal on footwear, to get more items back on sale.

Yes. We integrate with SWAP or your chosen returns platform, so returns flow into our process automatically.

Let us know your current return rates, the platform you use and what you'd like to happen to returned stock. We'll build a returns flow around your brand and commercial priorities, from inspection to restocking. Speak to our team about your returns.

You stay in control. Imperfect stock can go to outlet, donation, recycling or refurbishment, depending on your brand and commercial priorities.

GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently asked questions

How does returns management work?

Our on-site returns team works six days a week. Every returned item is scanned, inspected, reason-coded and processed within 48 hours, so refunds can go out quickly and stock is available to sell again sooner.

What happens when a customer returns a product?

Items that pass inspection go straight back into good stock. Anything else is flagged, scanned and held for your instruction. We also offer light rework, such as spot cleaning or scuff removal on footwear, to get more items back on sale.

Do you integrate with returns platforms?

Yes. We integrate with SWAP or your chosen returns platform, so returns flow into our process automatically.

How do I set up a returns process with Fulfil with Synergy?

Let us know your current return rates, the platform you use and what you'd like to happen to returned stock. We'll build a returns flow around your brand and commercial priorities, from inspection to restocking. Speak to our team about your returns.

What happens to returned stock that can't be resold?

You stay in control. Imperfect stock can go to outlet, donation, recycling or refurbishment, depending on your brand and commercial priorities.

Join a 3PL that will take as much pride in your brand as you do.

Discover how Fulfil with Synergy can support your
 
returns
 
requirements
.
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