'XXX YYY is the process of returning goods from customers. Perhaps because the wrong items were delivered, or because the customer does not want them.' Choose one of the following to re-place XXX YYY.
Correct Answer: D
Reverse logistics.
The 'returns' sector represents an industry in itself, and creates large volumes of traffic on the roads.
In a LinkedIn post some time ago, I suggested that 'last mile' distribution and returns could be un-dertaken more efficiently and in a more environmentally-friendly manner by a single state-run en-terprise, perhaps with red vehicles and red collection boxes. This was a 'witty' idea, as historically in the UK we had Post Office / Royal Mail doing exactly that, prior to privatisation of the market and the very significant growth of companies like DHL, TNT, etc - the 'success' of this competitive mar-ket has resulted in vast numbers of 'white vans' crowding the roads and pavements, resulting in noise, air pollution, and I'm sure an increased number of road accidents. A PhD awaits someone who wishes to monitor the change in injuries and deaths as delivery / reverse logisitcs vehicle num-ber have increased in the UK.
(L3M6)
