A new year brings new developments in retail technology. As 2025 approaches, it’s time to dust off the crystal ball and gaze into the trends that will drive the retail technology industry over the next 12 months. Here is a look at how supply chain disruption, AI “co-piloting,” and automated delivery will impact the industry:

Supply chain disruption

The global supply chain has recovered from the peak disruption levels of 2020 and 2021 and continues on an uneven course of improvement, but it still does not function as smoothly as it did pre-2020. 

Retailers face a host of challenges to manage supply chains and ensure timely delivery. The demand for faster delivery times, coupled with the need for accuracy, puts immense pressure on retailers to streamline their logistics. Customers now expect real-time updates and precise delivery windows, which traditional systems often struggle to provide. Additionally, the growing complexity of global supply chains, influenced by factors such as fluctuating fuel prices, regulatory changes and environmental concerns, further complicates delivery processes.

The ultimate resource hub for retailers and merchants planning toward a successful holiday peak season. We’ve simplified your 2024 holiday sales and fulfillment strategy with quick tips and in-depth guides from Ware2Go’s team of supply chain and fulfillment experts. This holiday season presents a unique set of supply chain challenges, but we’re here to arm you with the tools you need to make this holiday season a profitable one.

This report explores peak-season priorities and how supply chain leaders are preparing to take action. A new survey conducted by Supply Chain Dive’s studioID and Deposco shares the challenges and expectations expressed by retailers, wholesalers, and 3PL/4PL firms for 2024 peak season. 

This year marks the third iteration of this survey, and every year reveals something new. In 2024, peak-season confidence is at an all-time high. 

Reuters Events’ latest industry report found that 73% of supply chain professionals expect cross-border e-commerce transactions to increase in the next two years.

However, with customer expectations soaring and competition in the space at an all-time high, the smallest obstacle in your e-commerce experience means you’ll miss out on sales.

To help you understand the key trends in e-commerce, Reuters Events have surveyed over 200 supply chain professionals, with the results and analysis available in their latest industry report:  Global E-commerce Market Trends Report: 2024/2025  (in partnership with Avalara).

Tap into new value with advanced supply chain capabilities. As we continue to move through a period of continuous disruption and ongoing change, companies will need to move beyond traditional benchmarks, processes and ways of working to maintain a competitive advantage and capitalize on new opportunities. As part of this transformation, companies and C-suite leaders urgently need to implement and scale far more advanced capabilities across their supply chain networks and operations. And our latest research shows big gains for those who are already doing so. For example, the small fraction of companies who are using more mature supply chain capabilities are generating an average EBIT margin of 11.8%, compared with 9.6% among all other companies.

In 2024, sustainability in retail supply chains is essential. Consumers are demanding ethically and sustainably sourced products, with 72% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials willing to pay more, according to a McKinsey report. This presents an opportunity for retailers to prioritize a more sustainable supply chain. But how can they do this while continuing to grow the business? Turns out that those goals aren’t mutually exclusive. Sustainability and business growth go hand in hand in today’s markets. 

Reuters Events are pleased to launch the annual “Reuters Events: State of European Supply Chains 2024 Report”. Produced in partnership with Maersk, 2024’s report provides business critical insights, case studies and market research to provide Supply Chain leaders the knowledge to empower their European supply chains. 

Focused on Visibility, Digitalisation, Sustainability and Resilience the report includes leading executives and brands’ thoughts and insights on what is powering Supply Chains.