In this paper, we consider a retailer adopting the “omnichannel” sales policy that offers customers a more convenient option for shopping and buying. The retailer operates both a physical and a web-based online store. The web-based channel provides customers better shopping conveniences and detailed product information through websites and mobile apps; whereas physical store allows customers to physically inspect or even experience the product in the store the product before making a purchase decision. Due to the uncertainty in product valuation, customers may end up returning the product purchased for a full or partial refund. Hence, we develop a stylized game theoretic model to study the impact of consumer return strategies on retail sales and profitability. We show that product value and refund policy determine the online customer's choice of returning products through “online”, or at “store”. Our analysis identifies the ideal conditions under which each return policy is beneficial to the retailer. Further, we find that under full refund policy, the price of the product increases.
Track: E-Business and E-Commerce
Published in: 3rd European International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Publisher: IEOM Society International
Date of Conference: July 23
-26
, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5323-5949-1
ISSN/E-ISSN: 2169-8767