Walgreens stores to act as hubs for e-commerce returns

In time for the holidays, Walgreens stores will become hubs for returns of online purchases.

Starting in November, Walgreens will partner with FedEx to accept returns at its stores of purchases made from any e-tailer that has implemented FedEx returns technology. Any e-tailer using the FedEx returns technology platform can send their customer a return code via email that can be taken to a participating Walgreens location. From there, a store associate will print a return label in-store, eliminating the need for the customer to print a label at home or for retailers to include a return label in packages.

Walgreens is part of the FedEx retail convenience network, which currently offers FedEx pickup and drop-off services at nearly 14,000 retail locations.

“Our service offering with FedEx has been very well received by our customers, and implementing this latest technology in our stores will deliver even greater convenience to meet the needs of today’s customer,” said Richard Ashworth, president of operations, Walgreens. “This is especially meaningful heading into the holiday season, as more customers shop for gifts online and we’re able to offer safe, secure package pickup and drop-off services.”

“With the volume of e-commerce returns growing rapidly, it’s essential that retailers have an easy returns process that meets the expectations of today’s shoppers and carefully minds the growing costs,” said Ryan P. Kelly, VP of global e-commerce marketing, FedEx Services. “Shoppers prefer to take their online returns to a physical location, so by expanding FedEx returns technology to our broader convenience network with Walgreens, we’re enabling merchants and e-tailers to offer more locations for their customers to bring their returns.”

Walgreens is expanding upon existing capabilities to process online transactions from other retailers in its stores. In April, Walgreens stores began accepting pick up and return of online customer orders made from e-tailers that are members of the Narvar Concierge platform.