Objective. The objective of the present article is to clarify the essence of reverse logistics and the directions of its implementation by a strategic management system for the accumulation of strategic business opportunities under market conditions. Methods. The methods used to achieve the goal are: analysis (to study the current state of development of logistics in general, and reverse logistics in particular), synthesis (to form the theoretical basis of the essence of reverse logistics), scientific research, generalization, comparison (to study approaches to the interpretation of the essence of reverse logistics ), the tabular method (for structuring modern approaches of scientists to the interpretation of the essence of reverse logistics and for explaining the components of its conceptual content). The theoretical and methodological basis of the study contains the provisions of the theory of strategic management, strategic analysis, logistics management (to define the concept of reverse logistics management), the theory of the life cycle of goods (to reveal the conceptual content of reverse logistics), as well as the theory of the circular economy, which, according to its content, actualizes use of reverse logistics by modern enterprises. Results. The conducted research makes it possible to establish that, according to the results of the World Bank rating by the logistics performance index (Logistics Performance Index), Ukraine has a significant potential for building up and developing the logistics component, which, in the conditions of military operations on the territory of the state, determines the effectiveness of the functioning of the entire economic system of the state. In the course of the study, it is determined that reverse logistics is a component of the logistics system of a business entity (both at the micro- and macro-level), focused on the processes of planning, implementation and control of reverse logistics flows of goods and related information. The structuring of the key conceptual characteristics of reverse logistics takes place with the definition of the object and subject of management, the core of reverse logistics, the purpose of implementation, subjects, level of management, organizational features of implementation, time orientation and component costs. Areas that directly reveal the content of management activities within the implementation of reverse logistics are: reverse logistics, recycling logistics, waste logistics. It is substantiated that reverse logistics provides enterprises with new strategic opportunities due to its characteristic features: it is a direction of increasing the efficiency of the company's activity, since the reversed material flows, under the condition of successful logistics and operational management, can be transformed into an additional source of income; this is a source of obtaining additional advantages on the market due to the improvement of service quality, creation of an additional flow of products (results of processing of raw materials, waste, etc.), quality management of the life cycle of goods; it ensures the formation of value for consumers, both due to increased sales and after-sales service, and due to the creation of new consumer value in the form of ecological production, recycling and diffusion of innovations; it is one of the conditions for the functioning of socially responsible business, its form of implementation