TAKEAWAYS Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
UNCERTAIN SKIES AHEAD
REWIRING ECOMMERCE SUPPLY CHAINS
Ecommerce businesses are preparing to overhaul their global supply chains as geopolitical uncertainty and disruption reshape the sector. For starters, 87% of those surveyed in new research from global 3PL Fidelity Fulfilment, in partnership with Opinion Matters, say they are likely to change their primary manufacturing locations within the next three years. This significant restructuring of global production networks signals a new phase of supply chain strategy for the ecommerce sector, one that is focused on resilience and flexibility. Alongside changes to manufacturing, the report—which surveyed 1,500 ecommerce businesses across the United States, UK, and Europe—shows ecommerce companies are also expanding their logistics infrastructure. Nearly nine in 10 (86%) say they are likely to open additional fulfillment centers over the next three years, reflecting a shift toward more distributed fulfillment networks. By localizing inventory closer to customers, these firms aim to reduce disruption risk, improve delivery speeds, and
The global airfreight market is once again under strain as conflict in the Middle East disrupts capacity and clouds already weak growth expectations for 2026, according to new analysis from Xeneta. Unlike previous crises—including the pandemic and Red Sea shipping disruptions—air cargo is bearing the brunt of the shock rather than serving as a fallback to ocean freight. While demand trends have softened, the larger concern is the broader economic fallout tied to rising fuel costs, inflation, and geopolitical instability, notes Xeneta. Stronger collaboration among shippers, forwarders, and airlines is helping maintain short-term stability as the industry adapts in real time. But the disruption is spreading beyond the Middle East, affecting major global trade lanes and reshaping contract strategies, as more shippers shift toward shorter-term agreements amid uncertainty. “Right now, the air cargo market is suffering from a supply issue—and this will be resolved. But the longer this recovery takes will determine if it becomes a much bigger demand issue,” says Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer. Additional data points from Xeneta include: • Air cargo capacity in the Middle East remains about 30% below pre- conflict levels, tightening global supply. • Spot rates have surged, in some lanes rising 50% to 100% within weeks due to capacity shortages and fuel costs. • Shippers are shifting toward short-term contracts, with spot market share rising to more than half of global volumes. • Jet fuel price increases and rerouting pressures are driving rate increases across Asia-Europe and transpacific lanes. Industry resilience will depend on the duration of the conflict and its broader economic impact, particularly on energy markets and demand, the report concludes.
simplify cross-border logistics, the research shows. Here are some additional insights from the report:
Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, confidence in supply chain resilience is rising . 88% of respondents say they are now more confident in their ability to manage supply chain shocks than they were three years ago. Commercial importance of sustainability initiatives continues to grow . 89% of ecommerce companies say their sustainability efforts have had a positive impact on their organization, rising to 93% among EU respondents, and 92% in the UK. Ecommerce leaders prioritize customer experience (23%) ahead of both cost savings and sustainability (both 19%) , underlining the continued importance of delivery performance and fulfillment quality in driving customer loyalty.
14 Inbound Logistics • April 2026
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