If you missed the first three installments of “Top Trends Retails Must Embrace in 2022,” check them out here.
It’s no surprise that as we’ve focused on retail trends for 2022, we’ve also often highlighted the post-Covid world and the permanent changes we are seeing in all levels of Retail. In fact, it seems like it’s all we’ve talked about since March of 2020. So, it’s no surprise that the final trends that all retailers must embrace focus on one of the most impacted pieces of any business: supply chain.
Until recently, supply chain has been an ugly, underfunded piece of retail. But nothing has illuminated its importance quite like the pandemic. We could all agree that no one was prepared for a global hit of any kind. A recent paper by FTI’s Christa Hart, Ron Scalzo, and Matt Garfield stated, “Retailers had designed their supply chains to address predictable and specific challenges but had not adequately invested and undergone the end-to-end structural transformation necessary to become truly agile.[i]”
But the supply chain industry hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. They’ve taken every pain point in stride and worked endlessly to come up with solutions for the now and for the future:
Micro Warehouses & Last Mile Logistics are trending. Having faster and efficient last-mile logistics has allowed in-person and online businesses to cater to the increasing demand for same-day and next-day deliveries. It has also helped relieve some of the fulfillment congestion in urban areas. As the retail market continues to further integrate their online and in-person presence, we can only predict that micro warehousing will continue growing in popularity. [ii]
3PL and 4PL services are all the rage. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global 3PL market is expected to reach $1.1 TRILLION in the next six years. These companies are a huge component in properly utilizing last mile warehouses. Their all-in-one model is cost-effective, quick, and efficient. [iii]
Automation & Technology are now a must. With the increased demand of online retailers, a growing shortage of labor (particularly in the U.S.), and the constant technological advances, companies don’t have much a choice when it comes to incorporating AI and AR (augmented reality) into their processes. And while we don’t expect the need for human labor to disappear any time soon, there will be a lot more robo-copping going on as robots and humans continue to work side by side. [iv]
These three trends are just the tip of the iceberg, but they’re certainly three of the most prominent trends we’ve seen in the past year. We at Rogers are pumped to see how the supply chain continues to grow and change…. And you know we’re not just going to sit on the sidelines for this! From ground-up construction needs to retrofitting and repurposing current spaces, we’re here to help you get the job done.
Check out some of the amazing work we’ve done for companies all over the U.S.
Have questions? Not sure where we can help? Contact us – we’ll figure it out together!