In 2025, supply chain and logistics experts had to learn to be more resilient with rapidly changing conditions. New policies, domestic and international, created ripple effects across the industry, raising the costs of doing business and providing services to customers, as well as exposing a broader issue: the lack of qualified, trained drivers, exacerbated by crackdowns on fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and an aging workforce.
Despite the challenges posed by these unique issues, the last-mile industry continues to grow, especially for big and bulky deliveries. Consumer tastes are also changing. Preferences for online scheduling and communication, as well as a desire for white glove delivery and premium services, indicate higher expectations for the delivery experience itself.
Here are five key trends to keep an eye on in 2026 based on what we’ve seen so far in 2025 and years prior.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technological Innovation Continue to Be a Growth Area for Logistics Companies
Since its inception, artificial intelligence has continued to be a tour de force in the business world. From chatbots to synthesizing research, companies have found AI to be useful in a variety of situations.
For logistics and supply chain specialists, artificial intelligence can be a medium that calculates and generates the most efficient delivery routes or forecasts seasonal demand and delivery times. It can become an essential part of strategy, planning, and decision-making in both executive suites and management.
However, the startup costs to create an advanced technology system implementing artificial intelligence continue to remain high, preventing businesses from being able to use them. While artificial intelligence can be a critical part of business strategy and honing in on what works, that initial investment in it can prove to be unaffordable, especially as the costs of maintaining and testing are a continued expense.
Real-Time Visibility and Speed as a Customer Expectation for Orders and Deliveries
Real-time visibility also continues to be a hot topic in logistics as consumers demand more transparency in the final mile process. WISMO (“Where is My Order?”) remains a concern for many companies and businesses, especially as they chase higher on-time and damage-free delivery rates.
As reported by FarEye, 70% of last mile providers surveyed were looking to have over 99% on time and damage-free delivery performance. Customers are also looking for faster delivery speeds as well, even if it means paying a little bit more to have their products arrive faster. For companies looking to grow in 2026, same-day and next-day delivery may prove to be a lucrative option, but many businesses are unable to offer expedited speeds or allow customers to select when their products arrive.
Here at CDS Logistics, real-time visibility with the CDS Vision Suite™ is a core part of what we offer customers, and it gives our customers more confidence and control over the delivery process. It elevates our customers’ experience with delivery, offering data, insights, and accountability for where a product is at any time.
Compliance and Risk Management as a Core Part of Logistics Planning
Throughout 2025, new federal policies saw crackdowns on fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses. In December 2025 alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s reviews led to 44% of American trucking schools being noncompliant with new federal regulations, leaving these schools unable to certify their students. English proficiency exams and stricter regulations on license distribution have also decreased the number of noncitizens who can become truck drivers.
With increased scrutiny and stricter federal policies, logistics companies and businesses should look towards full compliance with federal and local state laws, implementing risk management strategies to ensure that changing political conditions don’t create a ripple effect within the business.
Another method is to explore a hub-and-spoke model. A hub-and-spoke model, like the one implemented by CDS, stabilizes freight costs and helps alleviate the problems caused by the current labor shortage.
3PL and 4PL Partnerships Remain a Popular Choice for Outsourcing the Delivery Process
3PLs and 4PLs have continued to remain popular with companies in 2025, but a 4PL system helps with supply chain coordination, technology, and reduces costs overall. 3PLs have been a popular choice for years, but as businesses and companies require more complex analytics and delivery situations, 3PLs are unable to effectively keep up with the workload.
Read more on our white paper comparing 3PL vs. 4PL logistics companies here.
FarEye, in their 2025 study, cited that 90% of the companies they surveyed are planning to “maintain or increase outsourcing by 2030.” As the costs of running a business continue to climb into the second half of the decade, outsourcing to a last mile delivery company can prove to be cost-efficient. By decreasing logistical headaches, from damaged products to chaos in the supply chain on Black Friday, companies can narrow down on strategy while reducing friction.
For last mile logistics companies, operation costs, labor, and the price of oil continue to be key expenses. The supply chain faces more friction in the coming year with high expectations from customers, ultimately demanding efficiency and optimization as a cost-saving method, too.
Supply Chains Continue to Adapt in the Face of Existing Problems: Tariffs, Sustainability, Environment, and Geopolitical Tensions
One of the biggest ripple effects for American retailers and businesses in 2025 was created by federal policy and how tariffs were implemented. Uncertainty about what exactly these tariffs meant for customers was a major theme throughout the year, shaping how businesses evaluated disrupted supply chains and where products were sourced from.
A survey from the Institute for Supply Management, from November 2025, cites several companies stating tariffs are going to be a long-term struggle for their current operations. However, this can be an opportunity to utilize and implement new technology and sustainable methods.
After a period of dense globalization and international trade networks, tariffs offer a new possibility for domestic supply chains, but they need to be capable of being flexible and continuing to adapt to changing market conditions.
About CDS Logistics: Experts in Big and Bulky Last Mile Delivery
CDS Logistics is one of the largest providers of last mile delivery and fulfillment solutions in the United States. CDS’s headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with 182 hubs nationwide. Over the past three decades, CDS has built expertise to make the company an industry leader specializing in big and bulky products. CDS’s proprietary, in-house technology and hands-on operational expertise provide results that are consistent, reliable, and proven to drive outstanding customer experiences.
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