Seeking to minimize customers’ return complexities, Walmart has partnered with FedEx for at-home pickup of unwanted gifts or ill-fitting apparel. Customers can schedule returns via the new Carrier Pickup by FedEx service for products that have been shipped and sold by Walmart.com, using either the website or the Walmart app.
The free service will extend beyond the 2020 holiday season, according to a blog post by Linne Fulcher, VP, Customer Strategy, Science and Journeys for Walmart U.S.
Customers without access to a printer at home can choose the “Drop off at FedEx” return method. Using Walmart.com or the retailer’s app, they will receive a return code/QR code that they can take, along with the packaged item, to a FedEx Office location. Associates there will scan the QR code, print a return label and ship the product back to Walmart.
Walmart also is enhancing other aspects of its return policies:
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- For items bought anywhere — online, in-store or from a third-party vendor — customers can start their return process on Walmart.com or via the app. Customers without a Walmart account can click walmart.com/startreturn to streamline the in-store return process;
- Many Walmart stores will open alternate return locations to help maintain social distancing guidelines; and
- Items purchased with a debit/credit card can be returned even without receipts; store associates can look up the transaction at the POS.
Additionally, Walmart is striving to make the entire return process more sustainable. “Since December 2019, we have diverted more than 100,000 tons of returned merchandise and enterprise assets from the landfill through our donation, product liquidation and numerous recycling programs,” wrote Fulcher. “With various recycling programs in place this year, we have been able to product approximately 1.9 million pounds of recycled plastic resin which will be reused in the manufacturing of 9.2 million+ products that will be sold in our stores.”
