In late 2023, we carried out the ninth annual State of the North American Supply Chain Survey. With this survey, we aim to gauge the difficulties encountered by shippers over the course of the year and to develop a clearer perspective on their expectations for the upcoming year. Ultimately, over 1,400 shippers from diverse sectors participated and shared their insights.

As we step into 2024, the landscape of supply chain and logistics continues to evolve, driven by dynamic market trends and technological advancements. In the sections below, we explore four critical trends of transportation and supply chain management that will be increasingly important areas to understand and strategize around in the months and years ahead.

Identifying the most optimum distribution strategy is crucial for shippers to streamline the movement of goods and enhance supply chain efficiency. There are two primary types of distribution strategies that leverage warehouses to stage freight for distribution to final destinations: regional and centralized.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of North American trade, businesses face a critical challenge: managing the increasing freight congestion at the U.S.-Mexico border. This bottleneck not only slows down operations but also adds significant costs.

The shipping industry can be complex and constantly changing, much like a challenging puzzle with moving pieces. For those involved in shipping freight and managing logistics for a business, this means facing a series of obstacles.

The e-commerce landscape has witnessed a significant transformation over the past few years. In 2022 alone, e-commerce sales in the U.S. exceeded a staggering $1 trillion. This shift has prompted businesses of all types to reevaluate their distribution strategies to meet the ever-growing consumer demand for faster deliveries.

While the Greek philosopher Heraclitus might not have had digital technology in mind when he wrote that “change is the only constant in life,” his words certainly ring true in the context of the rapidly evolving technology we see every day.

In a recent interview with Ed Smith, Vice President of Averitt Distribution and Fulfillment, we gained valuable insights into the current state of the warehousing market. In the discussion, Smith highlights the current challenges and shifts in consumer dynamics that are playing out in the marketplace.

The holiday season is a critical time for retailers, presenting both sizable opportunities and significant challenges. As consumer demand skyrockets, the resilience and efficiency of a retailer’s supply chain are put to the test.