Inflation and supply chain issues have been significant since the covid pandemic hit, and several companies are still recovering. In recent years the supply chain has seen some of the world’s most significant shifts. The American Trucking operation, for instance, has reported a historical shortage of over 80,000 drivers.
One of the most impactful aspects is the high rate of inflation that makes it nearly impossible for truckers to survive on their wages alone. According to Bloomberg, the cost of transportation and warehousing had increased by 28% as of December 2021. This is the highest surge since as far as 2009.
Because of these persistent crises in the nation’s supply chains, the United States is actively recruiting new workers to restore normalcy in the near future. As supply chain issues go, this is far from the worst.
Several additional problems that companies face are attributable to inflation and the current covid crisis. Their effects will be felt for a long time, even after the crisis has passed. Today we will investigate supply chain disruption, price increases, and future-proofing strategies for organizations.
What Decisions Do Business Owners Need To Make?
As Covid-19 swept throughout the globe in early 2020, consumer demand skyrocketed as people hurried to stock up on supplies in anticipation of the worst. Because of this, production and retail had to scramble to get supplies, ramping up transportation costs.
Consumers are now looking at a higher cost of goods as companies spend more money to deliver. It doesn’t help that consumers’ expectations continue to increase with more people demanding same-day and two-day delivery for a large number of products.
Because of this, businesses need to be better prepared to handle increased transportation costs and customer demands. For firms, the knowledge that it will require more effort than ever to retain new personnel at all levels of shipping is one of the most critical realizations.
Truck drivers complained that the high price of gasoline had forced them to make financial sacrifices to continue operating. They are not compensated for the hours they spend waiting, loading and unloading, and the circumstances are not always safe.
These issues, and a lack of benefits, have left many truck drivers opting for other ways to feed themselves. Companies must ensure their offer is worthwhile; otherwise, the shortages in essential services will continue to impact the supply chain.
More People Continue Opting to Shop for Goods Online
More than a quarter of the world’s population already makes purchases online, and this trend shows no signs of abating. The current growth rate suggests online retail sales will hit $8 trillion by 2025. Online purchases are predicted to reach $6.5 trillion by 2023.
For businesses, this translates to the continued increase in product demand and the need to stabilize the supply chain sooner rather than later. The disruptions caused by covid 19 included port delays, quarantine requirements in warehousing, and restrictions on travel.
Many companies have had to find ways to mitigate shortages, which come at a high cost. Today, companies are looking for alternative ways to carry more extensive inventory while reducing costs.
The Labor Conversation Cannot Be Ignored.
The logistics industry is no longer dependent on the accessibility of personnel. Employers must provide opportunities to entice and retain potential employees in today’s competitive employment market. The employment market is expanding at a far lower rate than the e-commerce industry.
Companies must offer more competitive salaries, attractive benefits, and much better work environments to increase vibrancy in the labor market. Businesses must also find ways to make warehousing more manageable for workers by adopting automation solutions.
Agility was rewarded during the pandemic, and this continues today. Not only does this increase efficiency, but it also increases the speed at which each item is prepared for shipping at the warehouse level. Companies are finding ways to maximize agility with their current labor, and this does not always work out if their compensation is not increased.
Technology such as automation and robotics are essential to the future of the supply chain and to create an attractive work environment. There are many transferable skills employees can get in vibrant warehousing and supply chain environments that they can use in future employment opportunities.
What Does The Future Hold?
When forecasting the future of logistics, there are a lot of different elements to take into consideration. Your time and money should be saved, and your profits should go up directly from the most critical components.
According to research, the rate at which e-commerce is growing will put more pressure on businesses to step up their shipping and logistics game. The high competition will lead to the downfall of any business that does not adapt to the evolving market and acting fast will see some companies make a lot of money and create fortunes.
Better management of your workforce might spell the difference between success and failure for your business. Worker and driver shortages are expected to worsen; therefore, companies with a strategy to improve their logistics will have an advantage.
Recap
There are significant factors to consider in 2022 to keep your business ahead of the curve. Inflation has hindered the supply chain’s resilience and slowed businesses’ diversification efforts. By adopting new ideas, work quality will improve, and labor retention will increase.
Business owners must consider different approaches to the supply chain. Big companies like Amazon have taken full advantage of a diversified supply chain, keeping them on top of the marketplace. Understanding how the demands of the consumers are changing can help companies make better-informed decisions that will stand the test of time and changes in the market.
Zuum is a logistics technology company that aims to automate transport networks by defragmenting the global supply chain. We enable businesses to grow and scale their operations using tailor-made logistics technology and solutions. Working with a good logistics company is a great way to reduce costs and stay on top of trends without spending a small fortune.
If you are interested to know what “Mustafa Azizi,CEO and Founder of Zuum App” , “Rob Montiero,Senior Vice president of Operations at Zuum App”, and “Hunter Burke Vice President of Client Experience at Zuum App” think about this topic and having a quick Zuum showcase,Check our webinar out.
