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AUTONOMOUS SUPPLY CHAINS GAIN FAVOR Traditional supply chain agility and efficiency strategies need a revamp in order to keep up with pressures from disruptions such as growing online demand, a changing trade environment, and workforce shortages. An increasing number of companies now view tech-powered, AI-led autonomous supply chains as the potential fix. That’s the key takeaway from Accenture’s new survey, Making Autonomous Supply Chains Real , a poll of 1,000 C-suite executives across 10 industries. Findings indicate that while supply chain autonomy hasn’t been a key focus and is not yet highly adopted, it is quickly gaining favor. AI-led autonomous supply chains can enable organizations to predict and respond to disruptions faster, balance supply and demand dynamically, and free up human talent for innovation instead of addressing problems, the report notes. Here’s what the research shows: Today, the average autonomy level remains low— only 21% on a 0–100% scale. Most companies still rely heavily on manual interventions; few use AI to adjust sourcing, reroute logistics, or rebalance inventory in real time. 66% of companies currently plan to increase supply chain autonomy in the next decade, and about 40% aim to reach higher autonomy levels where systems handle most operational decisions. Before the most recent tariff developments, only 25% of companies saw autonomous supply chains as a strategic priority. The report also details a three-step roadmap toward autonomous supply chains: 1. Build a solid, secure data foundation. This involves integrating real-time data from various parts of the supply chain into a single accessible platform. 2. Invest in critical, AI-enabling technologies, then scale strategically. Companies should focus on investments that improve agility and efficiency—for instance, upgrading legacy systems and building an adaptable AI stack. 3. Restructure how people and technology work together. Preparing the workforce for change and boosting employee engagement is imperative for building an autonomous supply chain.
BRANDS BULK UP ON INVENTORY In a high-stakes game of inventory management roulette, companies across the United States are loading up their shelves as they scramble
to keep up with and/or outrun the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Inventory levels increased a staggering 228% in just two months , shows new data from unified commerce solutions provider Deposco.
The analysis shows this Days of Inventory on Hand (DIOH) increase was based on actual WMS system transaction data rather than forecasts, underscoring the validity of the increase. The current inventory surge represents only the first phase of a two-part market reaction to trade tariffs, Deposco’s analysis suggests. The initial pre-buying surge is likely to be followed by a period of margin compression as carrying costs eat into profits, potentially forcing businesses to discount heavily to move excess inventory later in 2025. Here’s how the scenario is playing out: Warehousing capacity crunch: Brands and consumer packaged goods companies are rapidly filling available warehousing space to beat tariff deadlines, creating a nationwide capacity challenge. Profitability paradox: Logistics providers face reduced revenue potential as warehouse space fills with static inventory rather than flowing through for fulfillment, where margins are highest. Industry-specific impacts: The data reveals significant variations in inventory strategy by sector, with consumer electronics, apparel, and home goods seeing the most aggressive stockpiling behaviors. Inventory carrying cost explosion: Detailed analysis shows how storage costs, insurance, and financing expenses are dramatically increasing as a percentage of product value across nearly all categories.
16 Inbound Logistics • June 2025
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