How Orva Transformed High-Volume eCommerce Returns with ReturnBear

3 min

How Orva Transformed High-Volume eCommerce Returns with ReturnBear

January 20, 2025

Case Study

Parnika Sharma

Managing thousands of daily returns can be a logistical mountain to climb, even for industry leaders. For Orva, one of Amazon’s largest third-party footwear sellers, scaling their returns operations to match growing demand presented unique challenges.

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With a tedious, manual system stretched to its limits, Orva needed a solution that could handle their high returns volume while improving accuracy and efficiency of overall returns management. By partnering with ReturnBear, Orva transformed their approach to eCommerce returns management, with returns automation.

The Challenge: Scaling Returns Operations for 1,000+ Units Daily

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Before partnering with ReturnBear, Orva's returns process was far from efficient. Orva relied on manual Google Sheets for inventory tracking and returns management, which may have worked with smaller return volumes, but was no match for the 1000-3000 units received daily.

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This approach created significant bottlenecks, including:

Add to this the nuances of needing to work with Amazon’s return policy changes and the return process became even more difficult to handle.

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“Managing such high returns volume manually was a nightmare,” says Jason Pankowski, Vice President of Operations at Orva. “The system simply wasn’t built for the scale we were operating at.”

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The Solution: Automating Returns with ReturnBear

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ReturnBear’s parent company, Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan, introduced the team at Orva to ReturnBear to help improve their returns. From the outset, Orva had clear goals:

Through ReturnBear’s platform, Orva transitioned to an automated, multi-user returns system.

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Key improvements included:

  1. Streamlined Operations: Team members can now work simultaneously in the system without interfering with one another. This eliminated inefficiencies from their previous manual process and helped increase trust in data being worked with.
  2. Enhanced Accuracy: The unique identifier system ReturnBear used for Orva’s returns minimized duplication errors, significantly improving inventory tracking and reconciliation.
  3. Faster Warehouse Processing: Automating tasks such as scanning and validating returns improved the speed and accuracy of returns handling. With peak return volumes of up to 3000 returns per day, this helped increase scalability.

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“The unique identifier system was a game changer,” Pankowski notes. “It’s helped us process returns faster and with fewer errors, saving countless hours in the warehouse.”

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ReturnBear - a Game Changer for High-Volume Returns

For a high-volume merchant like Orva, processing thousands of daily returns accurately and efficiently was once a daunting challenge. With ReturnBear, the company has moved beyond outdated manual processes to embrace a streamlined, automated solution that powers its operations at scale.

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Ready to take control of your returns process? Contact us to see how we can help you optimize and transform your eCommerce returns.

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Table of Contents

  1. The Challenge: Scaling Returns Operations for 1,000+ Units Daily
  2. The Solution: Automating Returns with ReturnBear
  3. ReturnBear - a Game Changer for High-Volume Returns

About ReturnBear

We’ll manage your returns from start to finish with RMA software and end-to-end reverse logistics.

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About ReturnBear

ReturnBear is the #1 end-to-end E-commerce returns management platform for brands selling internationally. Get access to a network of return points, preferred cross-border shipping rates, and an automated RMA platform that lets you recover inventory and issue refunds faster. Better returns for you and your customers.

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Show All Return Strategy Commerce Trends Case Studies Company Updates Webinar & Reports

4 mins\ \ \ Product Updates\ \ •\ \ November 3, 2025\ \ Fall Product Updates: Real-Time Tracking, ReturnBear Assistant, and Logistics Tools \ \ Peak season is approaching, and ReturnBear is helping merchants manage returns with more speed, visibility, and control. Explore new tools for real-time tracking, compliance, and automated workflows.

4 mins\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ August 5, 2025\ \ The Hidden Costs of Slow Returns \ \ Returns are eating your margins. We break down the hidden costs—and how ReturnBear helps brands restock faster, refund instantly, and resell smarter.

4 mins\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ July 22, 2025\ \ Price Outranks Loyalty: How Tariffs Are Reshaping Consumer Behavior \ \ Consumers are tariff-aware and price-sensitive. “Keep it” policies won’t cut it. Smarter returns—verified, local, and fraud-free—are now a brand’s best defense against churn.

4 mins\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ July 10, 2025\ \ Goodbye De Minimis, Hello DDP: How to Win the Tariff War and Keep Your Customers \ \ With de minimis gone, brands must rethink cross-border strategies. See why DDP plus forward fulfillment reduces friction, avoids surprise fees, and makes returns cheaper, faster, and easier for global growth.

3 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ May 8, 2025\ \ What Canada's New Prime Minister Means for Cross-Border Returns \ \ Mark Carney’s trade shift means new return challenges. Discover how ReturnBear simplifies cross-border logistics, reduces costs, and supports global growth for e-commerce brands.

4 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ April 23, 2025\ \ Flexible Return policies \ \ 84% of shoppers check your return policy before buying. Learn how flexible, customer-first return policies can increase sales and retention, without hurting margins. Discover how flexible return policies can drive sales, boost loyalty, and reduce operational costs while balancing shopper expectations and profitability.

3 min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ March 12, 2025\ \ Sustainable Returns: How Brands Are Reducing Waste & Cutting Costs \ \ With eCommerce returns reaching 30%, brands are rethinking reverse logistics to reduce waste and emissions. Learn how brands can reduce emissions, minimize landfill waste, and align with consumer demand through returnless refunds, eco-friendly packaging, and optimized reverse logistics.

4 min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ March 3, 2025\ \ AI-Powered Returns Management: How Retailers Can Cut Costs and Improve CX \ \ AI is transforming eCommerce returns, helping brands analyze trends, improve sizing accuracy, and automate customer support. Discover how AI-powered tools can reduce returns and boost customer satisfaction.

3 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ February 21, 2025\ \ Affordable Strategies for Streamlining International Returns \ \ Expanding internationally? Returns can make or break your global strategy. Optimize logistics, reduce costs, and boost customer loyalty with a seamless return process.

2 min\ \ \ Company Updates\ \ •\ \ February 14, 2025\ \ Unlocking Seamless Returns with APIs \ \ Seamlessly integrate ReturnBear’s reverse logistics into your existing returns workflow with our new and improved APIs. Learn more!

3 min\ \ \ Case Study\ \ •\ \ February 10, 2025\ \ Resultco \ \ Discover how Resultco transformed cross-border returns with ReturnBear, saving $15K annually, improving customer experience, and expanding into new markets.

3 min\ \ \ Case Study\ \ •\ \ January 20, 2025\ \ How Orva Transformed High-Volume eCommerce Returns with ReturnBear \ \ Top Amazon footwear seller Orva worked with ReturnBear automation to scale to handle 1,000+ daily returns while boosting return process accuracy and efficiency

5 min\ .jpg)\ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ December 10, 2024\ \ The Impact of Bracket Buying on eCommerce: Challenges and Opportunities \ \ Learn about bracket buying, a growing eCommerce trend where customers order multiple product variations to find the right fit. Explore its impact on profits, logistics, and sustainability, plus solutions to manage this challenge.

6 min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ December 3, 2024\ \ E-commerce Returns in the UK \ \ Expanding to the UK? Effective returns management is key for North American brands entering this market. Streamline cross-border logistics and meet UK shoppers' high expectations to boost growth and customer loyalty

2 min\ \ \ Company Updates\ \ •\ \ October 1, 2024\ \ September 2024 Merchant admin updates \ \ The Merchant Admin has new updates for Fall 2024, including customizable refund payouts, a visual refresh, and faster app loading. Brands can now adjust refunds per case, improving flexibility and user experience.

7 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ September 26, 2024\ \ Understanding Returns Management for E-Commerce brands \ \ An overview of what returns management is, the benefits of an effective returns management strategy and why brands should prioritize it. Learn about the key elements of a successful returns management strategy, and upcoming trends in returns management.

7 min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ August 28, 2024\ \ The Top Return Management Software & Post Purchase Platforms \ \ Explore the best return management software and post-purchase platforms to simplify eCommerce returns, improve customer experience, and reduce costs with automated solutions and advanced return portals – so you can select the perfect return solution for your brand.

3 min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ April 18, 2024\ \ Understanding Returns Fraud and Tips for Retailers on How to Reduce it \ \ Returns fraud is a $101 billion dollar problem and one that can have detrimental impact for retailers. Learn about the most common types of returns fraud and what retailers can do to reduce fraud.

3 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ April 3, 2024\ \ Reducing the Environmental Impact of Returns \ \ What brands and customers are increasingly realizing is the significant environmental impact these returns can have if not managed with care, and the sustainability challenges that can arise from inefficient returns management.

3 min\ %20(1).jpg)\ \ Case Study\ \ •\ \ March 26, 2024\ \ How Numi cut costs on Canadian returns with ReturnBear \ \ Numi's collaboration with ReturnBear led to a 60% reduction in return costs and a 33% boost in revenue retention, marking a significant operational and financial improvement for the brand.

4 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ December 13, 2023\ \ Boosting Sales and Minimizing Return Costs: Unlock New International Markets With The Right Partners \ \ Ecommerce expansion into international markets comes with the challenge of return management. It’s important to get the right return partners and solutions in place to support growth.

3min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ November 28, 2023\ \ Section 321: Logistics and Cost Saving Opportunities for Online Retailers \ \ The ecommerce world continues to rapidly expand as consumer demand for variety and convenience drives more and more users to the infinite aisles online.

2min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ September 15, 2023\ \ Selling Online in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide for U.S. and International Businesses \ \ Canada's ecommerce landscape is thriving, with more Canadians turning to online purchases than ever before.

4min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ September 14, 2023\ \ What US eCommerce Companies Need to Know About Doing Business in Canada \ \ Expand your business to Canada with confidence. Our guide provides key insights on cross-border shipping, reverse logistics, and meeting local market requirements to boost sales and reduce return-related costs.

2min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ September 13, 2023\ \ How to Deal with Returns When Dropshipping: 11 Things You Need to Know \ \ Optimize your dropshipping business with effective returns management. Explore tips on reducing return rates, managing customer expectations, and boosting your eCommerce success.

5min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ September 13, 2023\ \ Ecommerce Returns Management: Enhancing Customer Experience and Retailer Efficiency \ \ Unlock the best eCommerce return solutions for your business. Learn how to manage returns efficiently, reduce losses, and keep your customers satisfied in the competitive online retail landscape.

2min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ August 14, 2023\ \ The Benefits of Reverse Logistics Providers in Canada \ \ Explore the benefits of reverse logistics, where goods flow in the opposite direction. See how efficient returns management boosts sustainability, customer satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness for e-commerce businesses

5min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ August 11, 2023\ \ How to Sell on Hudson's Bay Marketplace, Thebay.com \ \ A how-to guide for ecommerce sellers on the Hudson's Bay Co (HBC) marketplace. Everything from getting set up and listing products to establishing a returns management solution.

4min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ August 9, 2023\ \ Managing Cross-Border Ecommerce in Canada and the USA: a guide for brands and businesses \ \ In the booming global ecommerce market, brands and merchants are increasingly embracing cross-border ecommerce, finding new opportunities to expand their customer base and tap into new markets.

4min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ August 8, 2023\ \ The Ultimate Cross-Border Sales Guide For Ecommerce Businesses \ \ In today's fiercely competitive business landscape, ecommerce has become a crucial revenue source for retailers. To stay profitable and relevant, businesses must think beyond their domestic borders and explore cross-border selling.

6min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ July 28, 2023\ \ Marketplace Returns - Returnbear's guide to eCommerce growth and marketplace returns \ \ In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of expanding into marketplaces, the customer experience, and the importance of a comprehensive return management solution like ReturnBear. We will also highlight why partnering with a Canadian return management solution is an excellent choice for brands and international sellers looking to expand into the Canadian market from abroad.

5min\ \ \ Company Updates\ \ •\ \ July 14, 2023\ \ The Bay Marketplace returns: Partnering with ReturnBear for Hassle-Free reverse logistics \ \ As a marketplace seller on TheBay.com, managing returns efficiently is essential to maintain customer satisfaction and optimize your operations. That's where partnering with a reliable Canadian return management solution like ReturnBear can make all the difference.

3min\ \ \ Company Updates\ \ •\ \ July 12, 2023\ \ ReturnBear Drop-Off Network Expands With PenguinPickUp \ \ ReturnBear’s Canadian drop-off network has expanded! We’ve partnered with PenguinPickUp to offer return acceptance at their GTA locations.

3min\ \ \ Company Updates\ \ •\ \ June 6, 2023\ \ Optimizing International Returns in Canada with Reship and ReturnBear \ \ Reship and ReturnBear enable international sellers to have a seamless cross-border return management solution that effectively inspects, accepts, and processes returns in Canada, the USA, and the UK.

3min\ \ \ Case Study\ \ •\ \ April 28, 2023\ \ How Nadaré improved customer experience with enhanced return services \ \ Nadaré is a jewelry brand that creates beautiful waterproof pieces at price points for all budgets. Andrea believes that everyone should have access to quality jewelry they love and feel beautiful wearing.

5min\ \ \ Case Study\ \ •\ \ March 12, 2023\ \ Palladium Boots saved 70% in return shipping costs using ReturnBear drop-off locations \ \ Palladium Boots Canada needed a solution to automate their return process, improve their response times, enhance the efficiency of their warehouse operations, and save them money on return shipping.

2min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ February 3, 2023\ \ Preparing your business for 2023 and changing buyer behaviours \ \ Over the last 3 years we’ve seen major shifts in consumer spending, loyalty and expectations. During the pandemic, consumers increased their spending and online purchases from grocery and apparel to furniture, housewares and other categories.

5min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ February 1, 2023\ \ 9 eCommerce Trends to Stay Ahead of Competitors in 2023 \ \ Discover the top 9 eCommerce trends of 2023 to drive growth and customer loyalty. Learn about voice search, video content, AI chatbots, and more to keep your business competitive in the ever-evolving online market | eShipper guest post

10min\ \ \ Commerce Trends\ \ •\ \ November 1, 2022\ \ 7 Shopify apps to recession-proof your business \ \ If browsing through the Shopify App Store feels like you’re searching for a needle in a haystack you’re not alone. There are over 6000 apps in the App Store across 6 different categories. That’s a lot of time spent browsing!

5min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ October 26, 2022\ \ 4 ways to strengthen your shipping and post purchase processes during the recession \ \ In partnership with eShipper. Win customers in the long run by stepping up your pre and post purchase customer experience.

7min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ September 30, 2022\ \ What Do I Do With All My Returns? Creating The Ultimate Returns Customer Experience With Data Integration \ \ Creating The Ultimate Returns Customer Experience With Data Integration. Blog is written by Vanessa Matos — Digital Marketing Manager at VL OMNI.

3min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ October 15, 2021\ \ Reimagine logistics with a purpose–built shared network \ \ Let’s be honest. Logistics is hard. The retail industry is at a tipping point with an average brand expecting to lose 8% in margin by 2025 with the growth of eCommerce.

7min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ October 4, 2021\ \ eCommerce Can Be Profitable, Even With Higher Returns \ \ Nobody likes returns! Customers are annoyed by the many process steps involved, from getting a shipping label to driving to the post office. For brands, returns don’t just mean lost revenue but also more costs.

4min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ June 10, 2021\ \ The Ultimate Guide To Return Policies In Canada \ \ Us Canadians are known as kind and helpful folk, so we expect the same kindness from the brands we engage in, especially when it comes to returns.

7min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ June 10, 2021\ \ How To Offer Free Returns and Shipping Without Killing Your Profit Margin \ \ As an eCommerce business owner, you want to entice customers to purchase your products without sacrificing your profits.

5min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ June 10, 2021\ \ How To Reduce Returns To Your E-commerce Store \ \ Returns hurt your bottom line. But with a few effective product return practices, you can limit the number of return requests you receive and boost the health (and profits!) of your store.

5 min\ \ \ Return Strategy\ \ •\ \ June 10, 2021\ \ Reducing Return Fraud on Free Returns for Your eCommerce Store \ \ Return fraud is the practice of returning items that don’t qualify for a refund. According to a study performed by the National Retail Federation, about 6% of returns are fraudulent.

\ \ Unboxing Trump's Tariffs \ \ For ecommerce brands selling cross border, get free RMA with returns management handled for you. Returns software and reverse logistics services.](/content/reports/unboxing-trump-tariffs/index.html)

\ \ 5 Ways to Improve Your Return Policy and Keep Customers Coming Back \ \ A well-crafted return policy can be powerful tool for increasing sales, boosting customer loyalty, and reducing operational headaches. It’s one of the first things customers check before making an online purchase and in some ways it can be a make or break it point.](/content/reports/5-ways-to-improve-your-return-policy/index.html)

\ \ Unboxing Trump Tariffs \ \ For ecommerce brands selling cross border, get free RMA with returns management handled for you. Returns software and reverse logistics services.](/content/unboxing-trump-tariffs/index.html)

\ \ Return Season! Turning post-peak returns into revenue. \ \ What Happens After the Shopping Frenzy? Navigating the Post-Peak eCommerce Returns Landscape. Discover best practices for streamlining international returns, managing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction](/content/webinar/returns-season-webinar/index.html)

\ \ Improving Your Return on Returns \ \ Make your returns more profitable With ReturnBear. Save time, reduce costs, and retain sales with our end-to-end returns services, drop-off network, and forward fulfillment to your next customers.](/content/webinar/manifest-improving-your-return-on-returns/index.html)

\ \ Slash Returns Before the Rush \ \ Listen to parcelLab’s Larry Thoma and a panel of industry rockstars from HexClad, ARMRA, Order Protection, and ReturnBear as they dissect the daily challenges retailers face with ecommerce returns and how they can gear up for the holiday rush.](https://parcellab.com/webinars/peak-season-prep-slash-returns-before-the-rush/?utm_source=returnbear)

\ \ Navigating the Future of Supply Chain \ \ Make your returns more profitable With ReturnBear. Save time, reduce costs, and retain sales with our end-to-end returns services, drop-off network, and forward fulfillment to your next customers.](/content/webinar/navigating-the-future-of-supply-chain/index.html)

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