The Challenge
Target 3PL manages fulfilment for Petite Amelie — a Dutch children's wooden toy and furniture brand. As part of that relationship, they needed to handle product returns efficiently: log what came back, record its condition, apply the correct processing charges, and give Petite Amelie full visibility without requiring back-and-forth communication.
For a 3PL operating a lean staffing model, returns can quickly become a disproportionate drain on time. The challenge was to handle them efficiently with existing headcount — no additional hires, no temporary workers.
The solution needed to slot into what already existed: a Warehouse Tools app Digital Fusion Lab had previously built for Target. The app had been designed for extensibility from the start, so adding a new returns module was a natural next step.
What We Built
A returns module added to Target 3PL's existing Warehouse Tools app — covering the full returns workflow from item receipt to client invoice, with a real-time client-facing dashboard.
How It Works
Processing a return:
- The operative looks up the original order in Mintsoft via API, pulling back the order data and line items
- They nominate which specific items from that order have been returned
- A photo of the returned item(s) is taken and uploaded directly against the return record
- Notes and a status are logged — recording the condition and outcome of the return
Applying charges:
Charges are added through the Mintsoft create additional invoice items API, with three cost types:
- Box receipt handling — a fixed cost per return processed
- Labour — logged in minutes, converted to a charge
- Return delivery cost — applied at the appropriate rate depending on the return method used
All charges feed directly into Mintsoft, keeping invoicing clean and auditable without any manual data entry.
Client dashboard:
Petite Amelie have access to a dedicated dashboard showing all return records in real time — searchable and filterable, so any return can be located quickly. Full visibility without needing to contact the Target 3PL team for updates.
The Outcome
Target 3PL can process incoming returns end-to-end without the workflow leaving the Warehouse Tools app. Each return is fully documented, correctly charged, and immediately visible to the client.
The lean staffing model that Target operates hasn't needed to change. The module handles the administrative overhead of returns — logging, charging, and reporting — so the team can focus on physical processing rather than paperwork.
What We Learned
Building for extensibility from the start pays off. Because the original Warehouse Tools app was architected to grow, adding a new module required no structural changes — just new functionality in a familiar environment for the team using it.
In 3PL, client visibility is as important as operational efficiency. A client who can see the status of their returns in real time needs fewer check-in calls, and trusts the process more. Building that transparency in from the start is worth the effort.
Visit Target 3PL: target3pl.co.uk