NEW YORK (AP) – Online sales have divided retailers into two camps: the quick and the dead.
To that end, Walmart is altering its policies to speed returns, even it means that nothing is returned at all in some cases.
Starting next month through Walmart’s app, customers will be able to scan goods they no longer want with their own smartphone and drop it off at a customer service desk.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that by using the app, returns will take 35 seconds or less. Returns right now are about quadruple that time, not including any wait in line.
Retailers believe that the costs of accommodating customers with easy returns will be offset by increased volume. Amazon.com Inc. recently partnered with Kohl’s so that customers in Los Angeles and Chicago can drop off goods bought through Amazon at Kohl’s stores, where employees, pack and ship those items back at no cost.