Kendra Miller

Inside the reverse logistics education gap and the economic blind spot keeping it invisible Special Guest Blog Post written by Deborah Dull   Tony Sciarrotta has been asking the same question at industry conferences for years. As the Senior Director of Circularity and Reverse Logistics at the National Retail Federation, he knows what answer he’s going to get. But he keeps asking anyway. “Anybody in here go to school for returns management, reverse logistics, circularity? Any degrees in those fields the room?” It’s rare that anyone raises their hand. “That’s what’s wrong with our industry,” Sciarrotta told me at NRF Rev this January, the first conference under NRF’s new reverse logistics banner. “We still need to fix it.”   The Numbers That Should Make Headlines Here’s what makes reverse logistics so fascinating: the scale is staggering, but the infrastructure to support it needs to be stronger. According to the National Retail Federation, American retailers processed approximately $890 billion in returns in 2024 which is roughly 17% of all retail sales – and it’s higher for ecommerce. But that number almost certainly understates reality. “We have a fragmented industry,” Sciarrotta explained. “Where are all those returns going? It has to be…

How nearshoring, trade policy shifts, and digital infrastructure are transforming strategies in an era of disruption Global supply chains are being tested like never before. Rising tariffs, shifting trade policies, and the push for sustainability have accelerated a new era of resilience. Businesses are no longer simply reacting to disruptions—they’re proactively reconfiguring their networks with nearshoring, diversification, and advanced technology. The latest white paper from DP World explores how companies across the Americas are turning volatility into opportunity by investing in regional supply chains, leveraging economic zones, and adopting digital innovation to stay competitive in a fragmented global market. Download your copy today to see how you can position your business for strength and agility.   What You’ll Learn: This white paper provides actionable insights for supply chain leaders navigating geopolitical, economic, and technological change. Inside, you’ll discover: ✔ Why resilience now outweighs efficiency: 88% of businesses plan to reconfigure supply chains in 2025. ✔ How trade policies are driving regionalization: New U.S. tariffs are reshaping sourcing strategies and opening opportunities in Latin America. ✔ Where investment is accelerating growth: Nearshoring fueled $36B in foreign investment in Mexico in 2024, with DP World investing $2.5B in logistics infrastructure across Latin…