WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) and Kase, in collaboration with independent research firm TrendCandy, have released Retail Supply Chain Moves That Will Define 2026.
The survey captures insights from 250 retail supply chain leaders on how they’re adapting to tariff turbulence, nearshoring and reshoring trends, and rising expectations for delivery speed and control.
The report unveils a sector in rapid transformation. Nearly every respondent (94%) said recent tariff increases have accelerated their supply-chain decision-making, while 91% acknowledge tariff volatility has already prompted a reevaluation of supplier geography. Yet only 21% feel their logistics networks are truly equipped for regional fulfillment, signaling a readiness gap even as momentum toward regional models intensifies.
“Retailers are balancing urgency with pragmatism,” said Peter Davis, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations at WSI | Kase. “They’re diversifying sourcing, piloting nearshore operations, and rethinking 3PL partnerships—but capital, technology, and resilience remain the biggest variables.”
The data shows the industry is shifting from cost-centric strategies to resilience-centric design.
- 77% of leaders report sourcing has already shifted away from China toward tariff-neutral countries.
- 93% are expanding warehousing in the U.S. or Mexico to strengthen regional fulfillment.
- 84% expect to restructure third-party logistic partnerships by 2026, as only 58% feel confident their current providers can handle major strategic shifts.
Beyond sourcing, leaders are prioritizing control, visibility, and technology integration as competitive differentiators.
- 88% of respondents say transparency on supply chain changes strengthens customer loyalty.
- 84% encounter IT alignment challenges, reinforcing that agility without visibility is fragility.
WSI | Kase’s research highlights that technology alignment and capital readiness now define supply-chain agility, not just geography.
See the full report here:Â https://kase.com/retail-supply-chain-moves/?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=paidreferral&utm_campaign=PR_Newswire&utm_content=retail-supply-chain-moves
