Supply Chain Now

Driving Innovation in Returns Management: David Sobie with Happy Returns


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Most retailers don't have a return policy problem. They have an incentive problem.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by David Sobie, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Returns, for a deep dive into the returns crisis and reverse logistics. David brings over a decade of real-world experience helping major retail brands turn post-purchase friction into customer loyalty. He shares critical data from their latest report with the NRF, exposing a staggering rise in retail fraud, the undeniable psychology of the in-person return, and why over 70% of merchants are moving away from free returns to save "dead stock" from rotting off store shelves.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(04:41) Career beginnings and lessons learned

(08:15) Hautelook marketing sparks Happy Returns

(12:00) BORIS revolutionizes online return experience

(19:38) Speed and return fees impact retail

(22:53) Combating returns fraud with technology

(31:44) Expanding network to ten thousand locations

(35:16) Expert advice for supply chain leaders

(39:11) Future of personalization and growth

Additional Links & Resources:

  • Connect with David Sobie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sobie-a37ab/
  • Learn more about Happy Returns: www.happyreturns.com
  • Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
  • Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
  • Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
  • Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
  • Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/
  • WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
  • WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D
  • WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf
  • WEBINAR- AI that moves at velocity: Cut through latency with agentic workflows: https://bit.ly/4x4626t
  • This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/driving-innovation-returns-management-happy-returns-1594

    The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.

    For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]

    © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved.


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