From emerging technologies to shifting regulations that require new strategies to ensure compliance, logistics companies must stay on top of the latest industry trends to remain relevant in the increasingly competitive market. Especially given the plethora of options available out there, it is extremely easy for customers to switch to rival firms that offer better, cheaper and/or faster services. To make things easier, our media partner Parcel Monitor has compiled a list of the top logistics and supply chain trends that will surely disrupt the industry in the coming year.
- Omnichannel supply chain – The omnichannel supply chain refers to a multifaceted, seamless method of fulfilment for sales made through different avenues. According to Parcel Monitor, a true omnichannel scenario is where all supply chain solutions are integrated to offer full visibility and maximum agility that provides customers with a more fulfiling shopping experience. Retailers who manage to successfully adopt this strategy would benefit from better inventory management as well as greater customer satisfaction.
- Smart warehousing – Smart warehousing, also known as intelligent warehousing, is an innovation that has gained popularity in recent years despite being around for some time. A smart warehouse, in the most general sense, is the culmination of automating various components of your warehousing operations. With proper planning and deployment, smart warehouses have the potential to cut down logistics costs by a whopping 40%, according to McKinsey & Company.
- Reverse logistics – Reverse Logistics is yet another trend that is predicted to disrupt the world of logistics and supply chain. It encompasses the part of the supply chain that moves goods from customers back to the sellers or manufacturers, which includes not only returns but also recycling, refurbishing and even resales. Given the crucial role reverse logistics plays in the circular economy, it is not surprising that the global reverse logistics market has already reached a value of US$563bn in 2021.
With so many innovative breakthroughs on the horizon, we are eager to see what 2022 holds for those in supply chain and logistics. To learn about the remaining trends that you can expect to see in 2022, read the full article by clicking here.