Happy Returns Launches In-Person Return Solution for Online Shoppers with $1.9M Seed Financing from Upfront Ventures, Lowercase Capital and Maveron
Company Launches First “Return Bar” at Santa Monica Place for
E-Commerce Site Tradesy
SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#shoppernotshipper—Happy
Returns today announced it has raised $1.9M in seed financing and
launched its first Return Bar at Santa Monica Place. Los Angeles-based
Upfront Ventures led the investment round, with participation from
Lowercase Capital and Maveron.
Happy Returns is a new service designed for shoppers to return products
purchased online to in-person Return Bars for an immediate refund.
Shoppers from participating retailers no longer need to secure a box,
label and tape, wait in line at the post office, and check a credit card
statement to confirm a refund. Instead, shoppers simply hand returns to
a Returnista, who processes the return and credits the shopper in real
time.
Dissatisfaction with returns affects a wide swath of online shoppers; a
recent study by Marketing Sherpa found that offering an easy return
process is one of the top ways for retailers to improve the shopping
experience.
“We are transforming returns from a painful chore to an efficient and
delightful experience that encourages shoppers to increase the scope and
frequency of their online purchases,” said David Sobie, Co-Founder and
CEO of Happy Returns.
By reducing shopper friction, Happy Returns promises to benefit
retailers through increased customer consideration and satisfaction.
Internal Happy Returns research indicates that 78% of shoppers are more
likely to shop with an online retailer that offers in-person returns.
“Returns are the most underrated and impactful friction point in online
commerce,” said Greg Bettinelli, partner at Upfront Ventures. “Happy
Returns removes this friction and allows retailers to deliver the
desired ‘buy online, return to store’ experience without investing in
physical stores and reverse logistics.”
Beyond increasing shopper consideration, Happy Returns reduces
retailers’ cost of returns by aggregating products for shipment and
eliminating customer support calls inquiring about the status of returns.
A number of experienced retail founders and executives also participated
in the financing, including: Andy Solomon (Sole Society), Brian Spaly
(Trunk Club), Dennis Phelps (Institutional Venture Partners), Greg Fant
(former Thumbtack), Jason Lehmbeck (Data Pop), Kara Weber (Brilliant
Ventures), Rob Chesney (Trunk Club), and Rob Stevens (Matrix Partners).
The company’s first Return Bar accepts Tradesy returns at Santa Monica
Place daily from 10am to 9pm and is located on the second floor of the
mall. Happy Returns plans to build a network of Return Bar locations
throughout Los Angeles later this summer and nationwide later this year.
Contacts
Happy Returns
David Sobie, 415-971-1061
david@happyreturns.com