In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and special guest host Claudia Freed, President & CEO of EALGreen, welcome Chuck Johnston, Chief Strategy Officer at ReturnPro, for a deep dive into the “dark side” of supply chain: reverse logistics and returns management. They unpack why returns are a nearly trillion-dollar challenge in the U.S., how BORIS (buy online, return in store) strains store operations, and why many retailers still under-invest: leaders often can’t see the full cost across functions or make the ROI case for what’s treated as a cost center. Chuck shares how the space has evolved from yellow notepads to data-driven decisioning, highlighting intelligent algorithms that route items at the customer’s first return click, fraud mitigation with imaging and behavior signals, and how third-party innovation is compressing software build times. Claudia adds a nonprofit and circularity lens: donation channels, extended tax credits, and AI pilots (computer vision + MCP agents) that identify item condition and slotting in real time. Together, they explore where to start, why cross-functional “ambassadors” matter, and how partnerships across retailers, manufacturers, nonprofits, and 3PLs can turn returns from margin erosion into measurable value and social impact.   This episode is hosted by…

“When you’re looking at budgeting for the next two, three, four years, know that the parcel market right now is ripe. So go for it hard right now. Plan for volumes to stay pretty steady.” In this episode of Supply Chain Now, we’re joined by Robyn Meyer, Senior Vice President of Parcel Strategy and Solutions at Transportation Insight. Sharing a captivating reel of anecdotes and a truckload of insightful advice, Robyn, along with hosts Scott Luton and Mary Kate Love, offers several key parcel market forecasts, signposting a clear message: In what has become a shippers’ market, the opportunities for large and small players alike are immense. Discussions include a focus on the priorities of industry leaders, from the need to cut costs to mitigating risks and meeting heightening consumer expectations. Later, conversations then turn to the hangover from the pandemic and importance for shippers to diversify and take advantage of favorable market conditions. From considering how to find the right partner for your business as it grows and changes to the importance of understanding key operational data, listeners can expect a true masterclass from one of the industry’s brightest talents. Listen to the full episode for a complete rundown…