T
he appetite for advanced supply chain and logistics technology solutions continues to be ravenous with no sign of easing
“Global volatility continues to drive interest in technologies that support scenario analysis and network adjustments,” notes Matt Waldman, senior marketing manager for Americold, an Atlanta-based temperature- controlled warehousing and distribution services provider. The increasing availability and capabilities of artificial intelligence is at the center of it all. “Artificial intelligence is now foundational, enabling innovations in network-level orchestration, transportation optimization, warehouse automation, and intelligent order fulfillment, all grounded in a single data model and shared source of truth,” Griths says. IL ’s annual survey of a broad assortment of logistics and supply chain technology providers oers a revealing look at their current views of the marketplace. We compile and analyze their responses to yield insights that can help to inform you about the technologies that can bring your operations to new heights—and to learn what is coming next. Here are some notable results from the 2026 survey.
need for end-to-end, AI-driven platforms that connect planning, execution, and the extended supply chain network in real time.” The convergence of the B2C, B2B, and omnichannel fulfillment models increasingly drives the logistics sector’s growth, says Bobby Kaemmer, vice president of supply chain services for Cadre Technologies, a provider of warehouse management solutions and supply chain visibility tools based in Denver, Colorado. “As customer expectations rise and order profiles become more complex, shippers and 3PLs are investing in flexible warehouse operations capable of scaling quickly while maintaining accuracy and eciency,” Kaemmer says. “This shift is pushing many 3PLs beyond traditional B2B models and accelerating demand for advanced warehouse management solutions, automation and intelligent tools that support evolving workflows, and data- driven decision-making.” Meanwhile, the current era has been marked by a series of disruptions that aect supply chains across the world and prompt companies involved in the field to turn to technology for help.
in sight as shippers and their partners seek the tools to manage an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving world. Inbound Logistics’ latest survey of the supply chain and logistics technology market shows an industry that is enjoying enviable demand for their services. For instance, 65% of respondents report sales growth of 10% or more year-over-year, and 52% saw their customer base grow by 10% or more. The trends fueling that growth are multifaceted. “The demand for advanced supply chain, logistics, and transportation technology is accelerating as organizations confront persistent labor shortages, supply disruptions, sustainability pressures, and rising customer expectations,” says Lucy Griths, senior marketing manager for Blue Yonder, a provider of supply chain management solutions with headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. “These challenges expose the limits of fragmented, function- specific systems and underscore the
What industries/verticals do your solutions serve? INDUSTRY
91%
Supply chain, logistics, and transportation continues to hold steady as the vertical category that vendors most frequently serve, with 91% of survey participants saying they work with that industry, the same percentage as last year. In general, the industries served by vendors appear to have remained fairly consistent in recent years. Food and beverage rose 2 percentage points to 75% this year to move into a tie for second with manufacturing (down 6 points) and retail (down 3 points). The next tier of industries/verticals features industrial (64%, down 3 points from last year), wholesale (58%, down 3 points), and ecommerce, which dropped 8 points to 56% and notably has fallen 10 points over the past two years even as the overall ecommerce market has continued to grow. At just 26%, government remained a distant eighth among the industries, as it has been each of the past two years.
Supply chain, logistics, and transportation
75%
Food & beverage
75%
Manufacturing
75%
Retail
64%
Industrial
58%
Wholesale
56%
Ecommerce
26%
Government
April 2026 • Inbound Logistics 49
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