Encompass International Partners with Carrefour to Reduce Consumer Electronics Product Returns in Brazil

Lawrenceville, Ga., December 15, 2016 – Encompass International, a division of Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of 3PL and 4PL solutions for a diverse range of finished goods and replacement parts, today announced its Brazilian unit will be operating within 51 Carrefour hypermarkets in Brazil to assist customers with product usage in an attempt to substantially minimize the amount of purchased goods being returned.

Offering a combination of food and non-food items, Carrefour is one of the largest hypermarkets in Brazil with more than 100 stores located throughout the country. To control soaring product returns volume, the company has teamed with Encompass to establish in-store Customer Contact Centers in 50 locations initially.

After purchasing any electronic product, Carrefour customers are encouraged to check into the center where a service team member will assist them with any needed device set up and ensure the product is working properly prior to leaving the store. Such products will include televisions, computers, cameras, phones, small appliances – anything powered by electricity. Customers opting not to go through the performance check process must later return products directly to the manufacturer instead of Carrefour.

“Most products returned to the store as malfunctioning are typically in good working order,” said Jose Hernandez, general manager of Encompass International. “Our role is to enhance the buying experience for customers so they leave a Carrefour store confident that their electronics are fully functional. At the same time, we’re helping to reduce product returns, which are very costly to retailers.”

In addition to performance checks, Encompass will offer carry-in repair service for a variety of electronics and will sell product accessories, such as HDMI cables, Bluetooth speakers and more.

Hernandez said the Customer Contact Center concept should be a game changer for retailers.

“Consumers return millions of goods annually that retailers must collect, transport, store and dispose of at significant cost,” said Hernandez. “Brazil has stringent rules limiting the resale of returned goods – even those in good condition – so this service should be a huge advantage to stores, while also assisting consumers in the proper use of their devices.”

About Carrefour

As a multi-local, multi-format and omni-channel retailer, Carrefour employs more than 380,000 people worldwide. With 12,300 stores in more than 30 countries, the group generated revenues of €104.4 billion under banners in 2015. Carrefour is a partner for daily life. Every day, it welcomes more than 13 million customers around the world. Carrefour is committed through its actions to sustainable and responsible trade. The Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility worldwide approach is built on three pillars: fighting against waste in all its forms, protecting biodiversity and working alongside the company’s partners. For more information: https://www.carrefour.com.br/, @CarrefourGroup on Twitter.

About Encompass International

Encompass International is part of Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., a U.S. based market leader in forward and reverse supply chain management and high-tech repair services for a diverse and expanding range of consumer electronics, computer, major appliances and imaging products. Encompass provides end-to-end solutions for OEMs, retailers, independent dealers and third-party administrators. The company manages all stages of the product lifecycle, including finished goods and replacement parts logistics, board repair and product refurbishment services, returns management, asset value recovery and eco-friendly disposal.

Encompass International serves Latin America and parts of Europe with a host of reverse logistics solutions and replacement parts from top global manufacturer brands.