Market Research

2024 State of Smart Distribution Study: The Age of Efficiency and Resilience

Q3, 2024

The distribution industry is at a critical inflection point. Surging e-commerce volumes and heightened customer expectations for rapid delivery are stretching distribution operations to their limits. Companies are grappling with the dual challenge of managing higher throughput while controlling incremental costs. This pressure is compounded by persistent labor shortages, technological integration hurdles, and the need for more resilient supply chains. As the industry navigates these challenges, it's becoming increasingly clear that robust, scalable infrastructure is the foundation upon which future success will be built.

The study offers crucial insights into how industry leaders are addressing these infrastructure and operational challenges. The report reveals a significant shift towards proven technologies, with a focus on mobile devices and automation to boost workforce productivity. It uncovers a critical infrastructure gap that's hindering technological advancement, with 65% of companies admitting their current network cannot support their needs over the next 24 months. For executives and decision-makers looking to future-proof their distribution operations, this report provides essential strategies for building more efficient, resilient, and technologically advanced distribution centers, with a particular emphasis on the value of robust network infrastructure in enabling next-generation technologies and operational excellence.