< Back to Episodes
play-button-podcast
Share:

The Buzz: Tackling Returns and Sustainability

 

Join us for this week’s episode of The Buzz, as we take a deep dive into the critical topic of returns management during the peak returns season, aptly dubbed “Returnuary.”

As retailers brace for an anticipated 17% return rate of all sales in 2024, equating to a staggering $890 billion in returns, the conversation highlights the operational, logistical, and financial challenges that come with managing these returns.

In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Sofia Rivas explore:

  • The implications of stricter return policies, the rising trend of fraudulent returns, and the environmental impact of returns-related waste
  • The current state of the manufacturing industry, which shows signs of growth despite concerns over tariffs and trade policies.
  • Tech trends that could shape 2025
  • Upcoming supply chain events in the new year
  • And much more!

Join the conversation as we welcome the new year with a clean slate, even in the world of global supply chain.

 

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Sofia Rivas and produced by Amanda Luton and Triha Cordes. 

 

Additional Links & Resources

Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show:

 

Want more Supply Chain Now?

We know you can’t get enough Supply Chain Now! Don’t miss a single episode, livestream, or webinar:

 

More Podcast Episodes

supply chain planning
play-button-podcast
podcast-blue-microphone
Podcast
January 23, 2026

The Future of Supply Chain Planning: Gartner Takeaways and What’s Next

Automation is showing up everywhere in supply chain planning, but the winners aren’t the ones automating the most. They’re the ones choosing the right decisions to automate, bringing people along early, and using AI to build speed and confidence in planning.
universities
play-button-podcast
podcast-blue-microphone
Podcast
August 5, 2024

The Voice of the NOW Generation

Passionate young minds are what will determine the future of the supply chain industry. Join host Scott W. Luton in this episode of the “NOW Generation” series on Supply Chain Now, as he engages with Professor Jake Dean and students Hailey Mehta and Peter Freye from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management. Hailey Mehta and Peter Freye share their inspiring journeys into the field, emphasizing the creative, people-focused aspects of supply chain management that captivated their interest. From the adventures and opportunities of student life to the challenges and possibilities of modern supply chains, listen as they look to the future and explore a shared love for simple yet impactful solutions in global supply chain. Learn from their fresh perspectives and new ideas through this discussion of early passions for supply chain management and grit beyond graduation.     This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Amanda Luton.   Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Watch this episode NOW on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ib3Lf7igJ80 Check out the episode transcript here: https://bit.ly/3ynilkV Connect with Jake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakejdean/ Connect with Hailey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-mehta/ Connect with Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-freye Learn more…