Rush ReCommerce

About Rush ReCommerce

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Rush ReCommerce provides an end-to-end software and service solution for managing e-commerce returns, focusing specifically on the home furnishings industry. The company was founded in 2017 by the sibling duo Doug Nielsen and Julie Mahloch, along with Jeff DeRuiter, to address the logistical and financial challenges of large-scale returns and overstocks in e-commerce. The founders' journey in this sector is extensive; Nielsen and Mahloch previously co-founded Hayneedle, an online retailer for home furnishings, where they first encountered the significant issues posed by returns. This firsthand experience directly shaped the mission of Rush ReCommerce.

The company targets furniture and home goods manufacturers and retailers, offering a service that intercepts returns directly from consumers. These items are then sent to Rush ReCommerce's dedicated recommerce centers for processing. A proprietary software system is utilized to evaluate, digitize, and prepare the products for resale, aiming to maximize their recovery value. This model allows its partners to achieve a higher recovery rate, reportedly up to three times the industry average, while minimizing their logistical burden. Revenue is generated by managing this entire reverse logistics process and reselling the returned items. By creating a more efficient pathway for returned goods, the company helps prevent items, especially bulky furniture, from ending up in landfills.

The core of Rush ReCommerce's service is its ability to handle the entire lifecycle of a returned product, from customer to resale. The company's software and processing methods enable a high percentage of returned goods to be made available for purchase again. These open-box items are sold through various channels, including its flagship online marketplace, The Rush Market, and physical stores in Omaha, Nebraska, and Media, Pennsylvania. In July 2022, the company secured a $12.9 million Series A funding round led by Beringea, with participation from Advantage Capital, to enhance its technology and expand its network.