Blue Yonder has acquired Optoro in a deal that broadens its returns management capabilities across warehouses, stores and recommerce channels.
Optoro is a U.S.-based returns technology company. The companies closed the agreement on Aug. 19. They did not disclose the financial terms.
Retailers are facing growing pressure to manage the rising volume of product returns. In 2024, U.S. returns were estimated at $890 billion, equal to 16.9% of retail sales, more than double the share in 2019. Analysts estimate about 9.5 billion pounds of returned goods are sent to landfills annually.
Blue Yonder acquisition of Optoro
Blue Yonder said it will fold Optoro’s technology into its existing returns software. It’ll give customers new tools for warehouse and in-store processing, dedicated returns facilities, and automated inventory disposition. The combined platform also includes recommerce features, allowing retailers to resell returned products instead of discarding them.
“With ecommerce sales continuing to grow, retailers need to be prepared when it comes to returns,” said Tim Robinson, corporate vice president of returns at Blue Yonder. “This acquisition enriches the capabilities available to our customers, allowing them to manage returns with increased efficiency and effectiveness.”
Optoro, founded in 2010, has built returns software used by major retail chains. CEO Amena Ali said the sale will extend that reach.
“By seamlessly integrating with Blue Yonder, it will be easier than ever for companies to optimize their returns to improve the shopper experience, inventory planning, and overall profitability,” she said.
Industry analysts see the acquisition as a response to both financial and environmental challenges. Jordan K. Speer, research director at IDC Retail Insights, said the deal “aligns with the growing demand for sustainable practices” while addressing the profitability issues tied to traditional returns processing.
Blue Yonder said the combined system can process returns at more than twice the speed of existing methods, cut labor and logistics costs, reduce fraud, and provide faster refunds to consumers. It also aims to lower waste by routing products back into inventory or resale channels more efficiently.
The purchase of Optoro is Blue Yonder’s sixth acquisition in under two years, part of a broader effort to offer an end-to-end suite of supply chain tools covering planning, fulfillment, and returns.
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