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Simulating Reverse Logistics in the Fashion Industry: A Case Study for a UK Footwear Company

Tran, Trung My, Kotiadis, Kathy, Spiegler, Virginia L.M., Tako, Antuela (2023) Simulating Reverse Logistics in the Fashion Industry: A Case Study for a UK Footwear Company. In: Proceedings of the Operational Research Simulation Workshop 2023 (SW23). . pp. 1-10. Operational Research Society (KAR id:101052)

Abstract

We report on a case study of a footwear retailer in the UK, experiencing a higher rate of returns during the pandemic and needing support with the operational planning of its reverse logistics processes. We use semi-structured interviews to derive an understanding of the problem addressed with simulation modelling. Operational concerns about the costs related to product returns were raised in the interviews. Hence the simulation model focuses on this aspect by exploring the number of staff to returns ratio to achieve the targeted percentage of returned items processed within a certain number of working days. We conclude that other fashion companies might benefit from reviewing their reverse logistics operations especially in anticipation of escalating product returns.

Item Type: Conference or workshop item (Paper)
Subjects: Q Science > Operations Research - Theory
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Analytics, Operations and Systems
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Kathy Kotiadis
Date Deposited: 25 Apr 2023 14:17 UTC
Last Modified: 27 Apr 2023 12:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/101052 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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