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SECTOR SPOTLIGHT: RETAIL
Retail supply chains are navigating one of the strongest strategic inflection points in years as tari s, technology gaps, and nearshoring reshape how goods are sourced, moved, and delivered. Retail Supply Chain Moves That Will Define 2026, a new survey of 250 retail supply chain leaders commissioned by WSI | Kase and conducted by TrendCandy, finds that organizations are increasingly prioritizing resilience and agility over traditional speed-oriented models in preparation for 2026 . The rapid pace of change reflects broader geopolitical and economic pressures that have forced retail executives to rethink long-held assumptions about global sourcing and network design. In the face of sustained tari turbulence and volatile trade costs, many retailers are accelerating nearshoring and regionalization e orts to reduce exposure and improve control over their networks, the report shows. At the same time, internal challenges such as technology misalignment and infrastructure Tari pressure is transforming strategy: About three-quarters of retail supply chain leaders say tari volatility is redefining their plans for 2026, driving a shift toward regionalization and diversified sourcing to reduce risk. Nearshoring gains momentum, readiness lags: While 87% of respondents plan nearshoring pilots in Mexico or Central America over the next two years, most say their networks are not yet fully prepared for truly regional fulfillment. ( See chart below to see what factors motivate retailers toward nearshoring .) Tech gaps hinder execution: A majority of leaders (84%) report diculties aligning IT systems—including order management, warehouse, and transportation platforms—for real-time, multi-node fulfillment, underscoring a need for better integration. limitations are emerging as critical vulnerabilities that could slow transformation. These top trends highlight the key factors set to impact the retail sector in 2026: Visibility is now essential: Nearly nine in 10 leaders say transparency into supply chain changes is key to maintaining customer trust and loyalty, highlighting the expanding role of data and real-time insight. 3PL partnerships under review: More than 80% of respondents expect to rethink 3PL relationships in 2026, seeking partners with regional reach and technology compatibility to support new strategies.
2025 proved to be a banner year for launching massive distribution and fulfillment centers. Driven by strong ecommerce growth, automation eciencies, and a focus on key regional U.S. markets, retailers and other companies went big on supply chain expansion. Here’s a roundup of some of the largest facilities that were announced or opened in 2025: TRADER JOE’S ISLANDIA, NY: A nearly 1-million-square-foot complex with warehouse, cold storage, and freezer space to support Long Island stores and expansion. GRAINGER GRESHAM, OR: A 1.5-million-square- foot bulk warehouse, set to be the company’s largest in the Pacific Northwest, boosting next-day delivery capabilities. LEGO NEAR RICHMOND, VA: A massive $366-million investment in a 2-million-square-foot facility to meet high demand for Lego products. WALMART GASTON COUNTY, NC: A new fulfillment center for large items, enhancing next-day delivery for Walmart’s growing ecommerce business. GREENBOX SYSTEMS JACKSON, GA: An automated, AI-driven warehouse targeting ecient service for Atlanta and the Port of Savannah. Amazon opened several key sites, including: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: A new robotics fulfillment center and delivery station expected to add more than 1,000 jobs. ELKHART, IN: An 800,000-square-foot robotics hub with five floors. TALLAHASSEE, FL: A robotics fulfillment center and five delivery stations bringing more than 2,000 jobs. BATON ROUGE, LA: Amazon’s first robotics fulfillment center in Louisiana, boosting regional capacity.
Source: WSI | Kase
34 Inbound Logistics • January 2026
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