Scurri ZigZag partnership gives retailers a more joined up approach to returns conundrum

Scurri, a delivery management and post-purchase experience platform, has announced a new partnership with global returns technology provider ZigZag.

The tie up comes as new data from Scurri reveals a fundamental shift in how e-commerce demand is behaving around key trading moments. Rather than being defined purely by last minute peaks, demand is becoming more delivery aware, more distributed and more sensitive to fulfilment risk.

In the lead up to Valentine’s Day 2026, order volumes surged earlier in the week, with daily growth exceeding +100% YoY as shoppers brought purchases forward to guarantee on-time delivery. By contrast, Mother’s Day showed a more evenly spread pattern, with order volumes rising +8.47% YoY across the entire week and no single peak day dominating demand.

Despite these different patterns, both events point to the same underlying trend; customers are planning more actively around delivery options, cut-off times and fulfilment reliability. This is also reflected in delivery choices, with next day delivery increasing by over +24% YoY during Mother’s Day and weekend delivery rising +43.9% YoY in the run up to Valentine’s Day.

As sales volumes grow and extend across longer timeframes, so too do returns. For many retailers, returns remain disconnected from delivery operations, creating friction for customers, higher costs for businesses and unnecessary strain during already complex trading periods. By integrating returns management from ZigZag Global with Scurri’s delivery management platform, retailers can manage that complexity more effectively, without compromising the customer experience, those involved claim.

“Peak trading no longer follows a single pattern,” says Rory O’Connor, Founder and CEO at Scurri (pictured above). “What our data shows is that customers are increasingly delivery-aware. They are planning ahead, but they still expect speed, flexibility and certainty. That creates a longer, more complex post-purchase journey, where delivery and returns need to work seamlessly together. This is where loyalty is increasingly won or lost.”

“Returns are a critical part of the brand experience,” says Al Gerrie, Founder & CEO at ZigZag. “As retailers scale across increasingly dynamic trading periods, the brands that stand out are those that make returns simple, flexible, and transparent. This partnership with Scurri helps retailers turn a traditional pain point into a strategic advantage.”

“Delivery and returns can no longer be treated as separate operational functions,” O’Connor adds. “Customers experience them as one journey. Retailers that connect the dots, from carrier selection and tracking through to exchanges and refunds, will be far better placed to scale profitably, reduce friction and build long-term loyalty.” 

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Online delivery and returns will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.