As global trade becomes more unpredictable and tariffs remain a looming concern, retailers are feeling the pressure to optimize every corner of their supply chain. One of the most overlooked yet high-impact areas? Returns. Especially unsellable ones.
Why Tariffs Are Causing Retailers to Rethink Returns
With tariff hikes on the horizon, many procurement teams are focusing on upstream sourcing—but few are addressing the compounding costs on the backend: reverse logistics. Returns that used to be sent back to warehouses or destroyed now come with higher shipping fees, warehousing costs, and environmental tolls.
When tariffs squeeze margins, the added cost of holding or liquidating excess inventory can no longer be ignored. Brands need a smarter, leaner way to handle returns—especially when items are unsellable.
The Cost of Doing Nothing: How Unsellable Returns Drain Profit
Brands that continue to rely on outdated return workflows often end up paying more than they realize:
- Return shipping label costs (that never get recouped)
- Storage fees for inventory with no resale value
- Labor and operational costs for reprocessing
- Environmental and ESG risks tied to destruction or waste
Using Loop alone helps streamline return processes, but when unsellable inventory still ends up back in your warehouse, you're missing a key opportunity.
Learn more about how LiquiDonate and Loop Returns work together for ultimate logistics efficiency
The Smarter Return Path: Donation as a Disposition Option
With the new Loop x LiquiDonate integration, retailers can automate donation as a return outcome directly within Loop’s platform. That means no extra manual work—and a better financial and environmental outcome for every return that can’t be resold.
Benefits of integrating donation into your returns workflow:
- Reduce return shipping distances and costs
- Eliminate storage fees for unsellable SKUs
- Unlock tax deductions for donated inventory
- Support local nonprofits in need
Donation isn’t just a feel-good option—it’s a practical strategy that offsets the rising costs of returns, tariffs, and warehousing.
Request early access to the Loop x LiquiDonate integration
Try the Cost Savings Calculator: See What You're Leaving on the Table
Not sure what this would look like for your business? Use the free LiquiDonate Savings Calculator to estimate how much you could be saving every month.
By entering a few simple details—like average return volume and shipping costs—you can instantly see:
- Monthly tax deduction estimates
- Return shipping savings
- LiquiDonate plan costs and net savings
Start Saving on Return Costs Today
Retailers using Loop can activate the LiquiDonate integration with minimal lift. The impact is immediate: returns are rerouted to vetted nonprofits instead of sitting in your warehouse—or worse, being destroyed.
If you're ready to reduce return costs and increase operational efficiency, book a demo with our team to see how the integration works in real time and request early access.
Request Early Access to the Loop Integration
Loop users can now request early access to the LiquiDonate integration and begin automating donation for unsellable inventory—at no cost to install.
Benefits include:
- 100% free platform for Loop users
- Waived installation fee
- Tax credit facilitation and reporting
- Access to a nationwide network of over 4,000 nonprofits
- Seamless donation logistics, including SKU-level controls and automatic nonprofit matching
Reimagine Returns for a Circular, Cost-Efficient Future
At LiquiDonate, we believe waste is just a logistics problem. The good news? It’s solvable. With tools built for retailers and return management teams, we’re helping brands shift from reactive returns to proactive, impact-first logistics.
Loop is already optimizing your customer experience. Now, it can optimize your backend too.
Ready to make smarter returns your default? Learn about our Loop returns integration here.
