In the ever-growing e-commerce landscape, Return to Origin (RTO) remains one of the most critical challenges for businesses. Rising RTO percentages lead to increased costs, strained logistics, and dissatisfied customers. However, Shadowfax, India's largest crowd-sourced delivery platform, has successfully developed a technology-driven solution to tackle and reduce RTO. Through innovative strategies and a seamless combination of process and technology, they have brought down RTO rates significantly, achieving unmatched efficiency.

A Glimpse into the Journey

Shadowfax's journey to minimize RTO began with a clear strategy and continuous improvement:

• February 2016 (10% RTO): Shadowfax initiated forward logistics to ensure faster and smoother deliveries.
• November 2016 (13% RTO): The impact of demonetization brought logistical disruptions, increasing RTO rates.
• December 2016 (8% RTO): Shadowfax launched doorstep payment solutions to address cash-on-delivery challenges.
• February 2017 (5% RTO): They introduced Next-Day Delivery services across six major cities to enhance delivery speed.
• March 2017 (4% RTO): Rider payouts based on their strike rate further optimized delivery performance, encouraging accountability. Through these milestones, Shadowfax achieved a remarkable reduction in RTO, bringing it down to just 4% by March 2017.

The Winning Formula: Technology and Process

Shadowfax's success lies in its strategic integration of technology and customer-focused processes. Here are the core elements that have helped them streamline deliveries and reduce RTO:

1. Tracking Link to the Customer

• Smart Scheduling: Effective planning ensures timely delivery attempts.
• Doorstep Payments: Addressing cash-on-delivery issues, this feature enables hassle-free doorstep payments.
• Live Order Tracking: Customers can track their orders in real-time, improving transparency and reducing delivery failures.

2. Next-Day Delivery

• Guaranteed 24-hour Delivery: Quick and efficient delivery services ensure customers receive their orders promptly, reducing the chances of refusals.

3. Instant Support

• Pushing for Delivery: Proactive communication with customers encourages successful deliveries.
• Fake Remarks: Tackling false delivery attempts ensures accuracy and accountability.

4. Agile and Flexible Solutions

• Manual Address Change: Customers can modify delivery addresses using the tracking link, increasing successful deliveries.
• Instant Action on Feedback: Shadowfax ensures quick responses to customer feedback, improving satisfaction and reducing complaints.

Empowering Businesses with Delivery Excellence

Shadowfax is redefining last-mile logistics with its expansive network and innovative solutions. Operating in 13 cities across India with over 5000 daily active delivery personnel, the platform has enabled businesses to delight their customers through technology-driven delivery services. From food and grocery to e-commerce and pharmacy, Shadowfax's platform ensures seamless, fast, and reliable deliveries.

Conclusion

Shadowfax's approach to reducing RTO is a game-changer for businesses struggling with logistical inefficiencies. By combining real-time tracking, next-day delivery, and instant customer support, they have built a robust framework for success. Their ability to leverage technology while remaining agile and customer-focused sets them apart as a leader in the logistics industry.

To learn more about Shadowfax's innovative delivery solutions, contact sales.ecommerce@shadowfax.in.

Worried about the rise in your RTO (return to origin) costs? Shadowfax has found the perfect solution, which is helping various companies bring down their RTO percentage.