Happy Returns teams with Paper Source on in-person returns
By I-Chun Chen | Mar 16, 2018
Southern California startup Happy Returns is teaming with stationery chain Paper Source Inc. to help online shoppers and retailers deal with the hassle of handling returns.
As part of a pilot program launched this month, shoppers from all of Happy Returns’ online retail partners can now return products in person at 18 Paper Source stores in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas.
Paper Source employees will use Happy Returns technology to handle free returns with immediate refunds for shoppers from retailers who offer Happy Returns, including Carbon38, Eloquii, Everlane, Jaanuu, Thursday Boots, Tradesy and UNTUCKit.
Participating Chicago-area locations include Paper Source stores in Chicago Lab, Lincoln Park, River North, Southport, Deer Park Town Center, Evanston, Highland Park, Naperville, Oak Brook Center and Oak Park.
Participating Los Angeles-area Paper Source stores include those in Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Marina del Rey, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Studio City, Westwood and on 3rd and Fairfax.
“As an omni-channel retailer, we know shoppers prefer to return online purchases in person,” Paper Source Chief Operating Officer Jenica Myszkowski said in a statement. “We are happy to expand our best-in-class service to Happy Returns customers, while also offering inspiring locations for shoppers to easily manage their returns.”
Happy Returns co-founder and Chief Executive David Sobie said his company is glad to partner with a national retailer known for its customer service. Founded in 1983, Paper Source operates 125 stores in 29 states and Washington, D.C., plus an e-commerce store and wholesale division.
“Paper Source is known as a happy place for brand enthusiasts,” said Sobie. “They were a natural partner, and we’re thrilled to offer our service inside a unique retail experience that offers impeccable customer service.”
Happy Returns currently operates more than 50 Return Bar locations in 14 metro areas in shopping centers, stores, independent boutiques and other convenient spots.
In December, the company raised $8 million in a series B funding round led by USVP with participation from existing investors Upfront Ventures and Brian Spaly, founder of Trunk Club, a Chicago-based provider of personal styling services. That came on top of $4 million it raised in September in a round led by Silicon Beach-based Upfront Ventures.
Happy Returns says its goal is to help solve the main pain point of e-commerce: returns. Its integrated system of technology, service and logistics not only gives shoppers a frictionless returns experience, it also aims to provide retailers low-cost and efficient service. Amid the current highly competitive retail environment, Sobie says Happy Returns aims to help retailers deal with shoppers’ increasing demands for services such as free return shipping offered by retail giants such as Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN).
While some stores try to lure customers by offering generous return policies, other retailers are guarding against the growing problem of return abuse. Some have even begun setting up tabs on shopper behavior, such as customers who return a large percentage of purchases or frequently return items without a receipt.
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported on a third-party vendor, The Retail Equation, which does just that for chains such as Best Buy Co. and J.C. Penney, and can step in and reject refunds.
Retail logistics company Optoro estimates that consumers returned $90 billion worth of goods last holiday season, CNBC reported. Some of those products can go back on store shelves, but others are sold off on bargain websites or just dumped in landfills.
Write to I-Chun Chen at bizjournalsla@gmail.com
Article was originally published here.