/case-studies / retail-returns-prediction
DATA FOUNDATIONS FOR AI

Predicting returns to cut reverse-logistics cost for a retailer

client
Online Retailer
industry
Retail
services
Data Foundations · AI / ML
duration
5 months
fig.80// skillikzmodeltraininfervectorAImodel.evalrollout71%98%accuracyusage79coveragelive
// OVERVIEW

Online Retailer — a retail organisation — engaged Skillikz on returns prediction: Models that flag likely returns and cut their cost. This case study sets out the business challenge, the AI-led approach we took, the technologies involved and the measurable outcomes delivered over 5 months.

// TECHNOLOGIES
DatabricksSnowflakedbtApache SparkKafkaVector DB
-17%
return cost
fit accuracy
proactive
interventions
real-time
scoring
01 // THE CHALLENGE

High return rates eroded margin and clogged reverse logistics, with no early signal of which orders would come back.

02 // OUR APPROACH

We built return-likelihood models and proactive interventions — fit guidance, packaging and routing — on an AI-ready data platform.

Return-likelihood modelling
Proactive fit and sizing guidance
Reverse-logistics routing optimisation
Monitoring and continuous tuning
03 // THE RESULTS

Reverse-logistics cost fell 17% as likely returns are flagged early and headed off with better guidance.

We stopped paying twice for the same sale. The returns curve finally bent.

Head of Operations · Online Retailer
// HOW WE'D DELIVER THIS TODAY

The AI services behind this outcome

A project like this draws on a focused set of Skillikz services — from first assessment to a working pilot and a clear path to scale.

// MORE WORK
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