Vanessa Wieners

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…

Fuel is the second largest and most volatile operating expense in transportation, and traditional fuel surcharge programs expose your budget to unnecessary costs and risks. Forecasts for 2026 signal continued volatility, making it critical for transportation leaders to move beyond outdated, average-based reimbursement models. Our 2026 Fuel Outlook provides the data-driven insights you need to navigate market complexities and turn your fuel spend from a volatile cost center into a powerful strategic advantage. Key Takeaways from the Report: An emerging global supply surplus is creating downward pressure on crude oil prices, yet regional disruptions are adding significant volatility. Refinery closures on the West Coast and continued U.S. diesel exports are tightening domestic supply and creating complex pricing dynamics. Traditional fuel surcharge programs based on the weekly DOE index are inaccurate, leading to missed savings opportunities. Learn why Fuel Recovery is the definitive solution for fair and accurate fuel reimbursement. DOWNLOAD NOW