FloorFound builds out reverse logistics recommerce network

“While second-hand fashion gained early prominence, demand for resale is now growing across all types of consumer goods. That includes furniture and other oversize items, a category that introduces a new level of complexity to circular commerce. Customers can’t simply mail back furniture they no longer want, and large items carry heftier price tags than t-shirts,” FloorFound wrote in its 2022 Recommerce Report.

FloorFound has opened five “recommerce processing centers” that are approximately 500,000 square feet of reprocessing space. Each center is staffed and capable of consolidating returns, receiving consumers’ returned or traded-in items, as well as bulk transfers from warehouses or other collection points.

Staff at the facilities are trained to inspect and grade each item and perform repairs or refurbishment as needed to prepare the item for resale. Employees are trained in each vertical of returns such as furniture, appliances and exercise equipment.

Once inspected, items are repackaged and prepared to be shipped out through FloorFound’s nationwide transportation network that includes carriers that specialize in handling and delivering oversized items. Retailers can also use their own transportation providers.

Finally, FloorFound has an integration with project44 to provide complete visibility and status of each item.

“The majority of consumers are willing to support sustainable resale by purchasing directly from brands, and seek out experiences that offer quality merchandise and superior customer experiences. With a resale program built on robust features and services, brands and retailers can establish themselves at the forefront of the circular economy,” the report noted.