27 Jan 2026
Parcel Updates
January 27, 2026 admin

Mid-Season Check: Managing the Post-Holiday Returns Surge


We’re well into the returns surge, and here’s how to strengthen throughput, reduce delays, and manage capacity more effectively.

 

Mid-Season Check: Managing the Post-Holiday Returns Surge
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We’re well into the post-holiday returns season, and many carriers and delivery partners are feeling the pressure of higher volumes and changing customer expectations. It’s a demanding stretch, but the right adjustments can help keep everything moving. ECA has put together a few strategies to support your teams, improve efficiency, and simplify the returns process. Take a look and see how these insights can help you stay prepared and deliver consistent, reliable service.

  • Forecast and Plan Ahead: Look at last year’s return rates to try and project return volume.
  • Make Returns Easy for Customers: Send clear messaging about your return window, policies, and how to start a return.
  • Automate and Streamline Return Processing:  Use software or workflows to automate key steps: verifying return labels, logging incoming packages, checking items against original orders, updating inventory, and notifying customers of refund or exchange status.
  • Build Transparency and Communication:  Send timely updates to customers at every stage.  When their return is received, when it’s inspected, when a refund or exchange is approved, and when the replacement (or refund) is issued.
  • Take Advantage of Data: Analyze returns to improve
  • Plan for Restocking, Liquidation, or Disposal:  Define processes upfront for what happens after inspection (repack for resale, mark down for discount sales, liquidate, refurbish, or recycle). 
  • Prioritize Sustainability & Customer Experience:  Communicate these efforts when possible because many customers appreciate brands that minimize waste and support a circular economy.

ECA local, regional, and specialty carriers offer valuable cost-saving reverse logistics services for parcel shippers. 

  • Cost Efficiency: Local presence reduces long-haul costs and delays
  • Speed: Faster processing and reintegration of sellable items
  • Customer Satisfaction: Smoother, quicker returns encourage repeat business
Take a look at our collective carrier coverage below. 

ECA Provides a Value-Added National Delivery Network for Shippers!

 

✅ Verified credibility

ECA members meet defined membership standards, giving shippers confidence they’re working with dependable, professional carriers

 

✅ Industry best practices

Carrier members are encouraged to follow high operational, safety, and service guidelines

 

✅ Reliability and consistency
ECA carriers are experienced in time-critical shipments and dependable delivery performance

 

✅ Stronger compliance awareness

Membership promotes adherence to transport regulations and evolving industry requirements

 

✅ Accountability and ethics

ECA promotes ethical business conduct for its carrier members, reducing risk for shippers

 

✅ Improved service quality

ECA carrier members prioritize customer service, communication, and shipment visibility
   

ECA MarketPlace 2026

Join us at one of the most productive networking events for shippers, carriers, and delivery industry vendors! Our unique, speed-dating style event curates 1:1 meetings between shippers and carriers based upon their needs and capabilities. ECA MarketPlace can fill your transportation procurement pipeline for the entire year! 

April 27 – 29, 2026

Loews Arlington, TX

Check out our ECA MarketPlace 2025 Recap 👇 
MarketPlace2025Recap
   
 

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