Retailers expect product returns and other challenges to balloon over the next 12 months. But many are unprepared to deal with these problems, according to Digital Complexity: Thriving in
Unpredictable Times, a study from Fluent Commerce, commercetools and Contentstack, conducted by Incisiv.
Of the companies polled, 81% expect an increase in returns. However, only 48%
feel they will be effective in coping with it.
In addition, while 87% expect an increase in digital assets, 32% say they will be effective in managing them. And only 43% feel equipped to
deal with increase in online SKUs that 88% of them anticipate.
In addition, respondents expect growth in these areas:
- New technologies —71% (46% say they
are
- Store fulfilled orders — 66% (35% are prepared)
- Engagement channels — 60% (46% say they are
effective).
Meanwhile, almost 60% of retailers believe their store fulfillment and personalization platform will support only some of their needs during the next
year.
And only 17% claim they can launch an online marketing campaign within a week.
The top challenges in managing digital businesses are:
- Store inventory accuracy
- Lack of accurate inventory visibility
- Getting accurate inventory information
online
- Number of channels to effectively manage
- Reducing cart abandonment
- Increaseing cart size through recommendations
- Ability to quickly update content
- Lack of good tech for managing online orders and returns
- Limited view of operations/poor data
visibility
Incisiv surveyed 358 marketing directors and above in the U.S., UK, France and Germany in Q2 and Q3 of 2022.