The past few years have seen dramatic changes in how consumers shop, ship and use products. With supply chain issues, inflation and fluctuating prices becoming familiar sights across the globe, many wonder what’s in store for courier and logistics trends for 2023.
Today’s supply chains are undergoing more changes than ever, and paying attention to industry trends can help your business remain ahead of the curve. Explore some of the top supply chain trends to pay attention to throughout 2023.
1. Rising Costs and Cost Containment
High inflation and attempts from the Federal Reserve Bank to control inflation shaped the thinking of many C-level executives in 2022 and will continue to influence them in 2023. For most companies, the focus will be cost containment rather than growth.
2. Focus on Last-Mile Delivery
High ordering volumes and driver shortages have led to setbacks in delivery performances in recent years. Over time, customers have become less forgiving toward delivery failures — one recent report found that 23% of people who experienced delivery issues did not order from the retailer again.
Improving the accuracy of delivery services is the first step toward improving the 2023 courier delivery outlook. Placing a greater emphasis on real-time tracking and increasing proof of delivery confirmation will enhance the customer experience and boost retention rates.
3. Collaboration Between Retailers
Collaboration between retailers is one of the most prominent current logistics trends to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain and last-mile challenges. Some ways retailers can collaborate include:
- In-store pickup
- Shared carts
- Cross-channel loyalty points
- Cross-channel returns
Retailers can increase growth through collaboration. For example, an online retailer can offer the option for customers to pick up their purchases at physical stores. A physical store may accept returns from the online seller in turn.
4. Diversification of Carriers
Despite economic and supply chain issues, e-commerce continues to grow and will account for 40% of all retail chain sales by 2026. As the volume continues to grow, the demand for carriers exceeds the supply. One of the top courier trends of 2022 that will be prominent in 2023 is the diversification of carriers. Using multiple fleets enables companies to experience greater flexibility and provides a backup solution for peak times and seasons.
5. Sustainability
The larger the supply chain, the larger its environmental impact. Retail supply chains are the largest producers of carbon emissions and contribute up to 50% of greenhouse gases. Many companies are starting to feel pressure from consumers for sustainable delivery, relying on their last-mile logistics providers to aid in reducing carbon emissions.
Utilizing green logistics practices across the entire supply chain can help a company significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Having a green mindset also does more than benefit the environment — it gives companies a competitive edge and an increase in market shares in 2023.
6. Holistic Technology Platforms
Ensuring your operations run cost-effectively is possible with an advanced delivery management platform. More importantly, retailers must take a holistic portfolio view to evaluate profitability accurately.
Companies must integrate supply chain management software into their daily operations to create a holistic fulfillment view. Modern technology aids in helping companies adapt to the market and deal with unexpected events like traffic, routing issues and the inability to deliver packages. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) can help your company improve its 2023 supply chain for greater success.
7. Automation and AI
Fluctuations in the market can make or break a business, making it essential to have logistics in place to adapt. Implementing AI into your supply chain can help adjust production and fill labor shortage gaps. Utilizing elastic logistics enables your supply chain production to become as efficient as possible so you can stay on top despite market challenges.
8. Digital Transformation
To keep up with a rapidly changing supply chain, you need to invest in new systems. Managers need better supply chain visibility. All of this new technology requires a supply chain optimization platform that can easily handle automation software.
When researching automation software, businesses should guarantee the new technology integrates with existing supply chain systems. Retailers should also focus on the needs of stakeholders and consumers to ensure their technology offers the most benefit.
Get a Quote from ExpressIt Delivery Today!
Whether your business mainly services corporate clients or consumers, ensuring you fulfill your orders promptly is essential to growth in 2023. When you choose ExpressIt Delivery for order fulfillment and deliveries, we will help you meet your customers’ needs with our personalized services.
We offer select services such as same-day delivery and trucking to clients throughout the Northeast. When you work with us, we will help you with logistics issues to prevent stress and improve your bottom line. To learn more about our services, complete our online contact form today.