Report says disruption is changing how retailers manage logistics

A new DP World report finds nearly all retail supply chain leaders now view disruption as a critical business issue. The survey, conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, gathered responses from 100 retail supply chain decision‑makers in Canada and the United States.

According to the report, 95 per cent of leaders said disruption is extremely or very important to their organization. Transportation remains the biggest operational challenge, with 57 per cent reporting bottlenecks or port congestion over the past year and 44 per cent citing labour shortages or work stoppages.

Trade uncertainty is also reshaping logistics strategies. Seventy‑four per cent of respondents said they are adjusting supply chain routing to respond to tariffs and changing trade policies.

Technology investment continues to grow. Ninety‑seven per cent said technology is critical for demand forecasting, 91 per cent for inventory management and 87 per cent for predicting supply chain disruptions. More than half reported increasing their use of third‑party logistics providers to improve resilience and efficiency.

Brittany Caskey, chief commercial officer, logistics for DP World in the Americas, said retailers are shifting their priorities.

“The competitive advantage is no longer simply moving products at the lowest cost—it’s having the flexibility, visibility and trusted partnerships to respond quickly when market conditions change. Retailers that embrace that shift will be better positioned to protect service levels, control costs, and continue growing through uncertainty.” she said.

The report identifies three priorities shaping retail supply chains: diversified sourcing and routing, stronger collaboration with logistics partners and increased investment in technologies that improve visibility and support proactive decision‑making.