State of Logistics Report Finds Industry Resilience Amid Ongoing Disruption

The 37th annual State of Logistics report, published by Logistics Management in partnership with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and presented by NTT Data, frames the past year as one in which the logistics industry absorbed repeated shocks and emerged more structurally resilient. The report leans into the theme "Stronger through disruption," arguing that years of volatility have pushed carriers, shippers, and 3PLs toward tighter planning, more diversified networks, and clearer cost discipline.

Key pressures tracked in this year's report

The 2026 edition continues to monitor the cost pressures that have defined the post-pandemic cycle: inventory carrying costs, transportation expenses, warehousing, and administrative overhead. It also tracks how demand patterns have shifted as buyers adjust order quantities and frequency, a dynamic explored in industry coverage of warehouse operators expanding leadership to manage that complexity.

Strategic shifts reshaping supply chains

Beyond the headline cost numbers, the report emphasizes how logistics decision-makers are responding to uncertainty. Companies are re-evaluating network footprints, increasing reliance on technology for visibility, and reassessing carrier relationships. These changes are playing out alongside broader questions about platform scale, as seen in recent debates over the viability of dominant last-mile strategies, and about payment practices, with regulators and shippers scrutinizing carrier payment timelines.

Outlook for the coming cycle

Report authors suggest that resilience is no longer a buzzword but an operational baseline. Firms that invested early in data, flexible capacity, and partner diversification appear better positioned for the next round of disruption, whether it arrives as a policy shift, a trade realignment, or another capacity crunch. The full report and accompanying webcast are available through Logistics Management.