The growth of e-commerce in Brazil has brought many business opportunities, but there were also great logistical challenges. In 2023, global online sales reached US$ 5,8 trillion, and the construction of new storage spaces exceeded 148 million square meters, according to data from the NAIOP portal. In Brazil, the increasing volume of returns reinforces the need for a network of collection points capable of efficiently serving different regions
In the face of this challenge, capillarity has become a survival factor for companies seeking to optimize reverse logistics and offer better solutions to consumers
Challenges of a continental country
In a country of continental dimensions like Brazil, reverse logistics faces challenges that range from transportation to collection in more remote locations. Electronic devices, like modems, routers and decoders, they require efficient systems to be collected, transported and refurbished or recycled
Without a well-structured collection network, companies may suffer from high transportation costs, delays and difficulties in meeting consumer demands
Specialist in telecommunications logistics solutions, PostalGow found in capillarity a way to overcome these barriers. With more than 6.300 post offices and 2.800 return stations equipped to receive, deliver, return and stock packages – scattered across the country, the company facilitates the return of equipment by consumers in various locations. This structure allows for reducing the operational costs of the contractors and meeting the needs of retail and end customers more quickly
Practical and technological solutions
Reverse logistics requires more than a wide network; it also demands the integration of technology to ensure operational efficiency. PostalGow developed the DevolvaFácil platform, that offers integrated solutions for the return of products in an agile and traceable manner. The tool is compatible with the ERP systems of the contracting companies, enabling automated management of returns and real-time tracking of each stage of the process
Carlos Tanaka, founder of PostalGow, explain that technology is one of the pillars to make operational capillarity. Decentralized collection points, integrated into monitoring systems, ensure efficiency and control. This allows companies to handle demand spikes, how the registered on Black Friday, without losing the quality of service, explain
In the Distribution Centers of PostalGow, strategically located in regions such as Barueri, Manaus, Brasília and Porto Alegre, the collected items go through sorting, refurbishment and recycling. This approach ensures that the equipment is recovered or disposed of correctly, promoting practices aligned with environmental and sustainability standards
Customer Experience
In addition to optimizing the logistical processes of companies, capillarity also enhances the consumer experience. The ease of returning products at nearby locations and the offering of incentives, such as discounts or loyalty programs, make the reverse logistics process more accessible
Tanaka emphasizes that the proximity between collection points and consumers reduces barriers to product returns. "Facilitating access to return points encourages customer participation and reinforces the image of companies as committed to practical and sustainable solutions", affirms
Benefits for the retail market
In retail, reverse logistics with wide reach provides significant gains. Companies reduce their transportation and storage costs, in addition to improving efficiency in inventory management. The integration of collection and distribution systems with advanced technology also allows for greater predictability and control over operations
A PostalGow, with its "end-to-end" approach, delivers solutions that meet everything from collection to refurbishment and final delivery of the equipment. In 2023, the company recorded a growth of 60%, strengthening its position as a reference in the reverse logistics sector in Brazil
