Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chains have faced a massive problem, causing worldwide shortages and affecting consumer patterns. Workers becoming sick with COVID-19 and mandates and restrictions affecting staff availability have led to many issues that have slowed the supply chain. Other factors, including economic cycles, capacity, pricing fluctuations, labor strikes, war, terrorism, policy changes, and more, have also affected the supply chain. Because of the pandemic, it seems that everyone notices its damaging impact on global supply chains even more. Troubles in one country or with one shipping mode can negatively affect the whole system. The situation is complicated, whether you are a consumer or a business. Despite many months of recovery from the original pandemic, supply chains have still been unable to keep up with demand fully.
Trucker Shortages
Unfortunately, there is currently a shortage of truck drivers in the United States, and it is predicted to double by 2030 if current trends continue. Freight carriers are a critical component in the distribution of goods, so fewer drivers on the road mean more irregular goods are moving. As a result, customers wait lengthy periods between when they place an order and when it gets delivered. Packages may not arrive at a retailer’s warehouse on time, making less stock available. Automating inventory management is essential! If retailers can foresee their inventories, they will be more prepared to control their flow of goods as we navigate a slower-moving chain.
Lack of Warehouse Storage
Overfilling warehouses results in less product space, creating a significant problem for retailers. Expanding warehouse space is almost impossible for most organizations due to the spiking prices in real estate. Because of the trucker shortage, packages must wait for prolonged periods before they begin their journey, which creates severe logistics delays in the flow of goods from one destination to the next.
The compressed warehouse market has stimulated logistics companies to try different strategies for storing and moving goods across the country. Logistics firms are finding fresh alternatives to deal with a lack of warehouses. These tactics include building multi-story facilities and choosing locations farther from coastal ports. Flexibility is necessary for businesses to gain more management over the fulfillment process.
Increased Consumer Demand
According to retailer research, consumers shop more often and in more places than ever. The root cause is the extraordinary government stimulus that has boosted demand. The simple answer to why this is happening is that a sudden wave of demand outweighs the market’s capacity. The global supply chain system can’t handle the volume of products flowing through the economy. As a result, online shopping activity has increased tremendously. Due to supply chain pressure, businesses struggle to keep up with these expectations. Companies need to keep track of all their selling channels to optimize their inventory distribution correctly.
Combatting this Issue
These supply chain issues will not be solved overnight, but there are many ways to get ahead of the problem and solve these issues more efficiently. The right technology and software can also help encourage and prepare your staff for any specific situation. With logistics management software, companies will need additional training and setup, but overall it will help diminish errors. Boosting the skills of your staff will create a more effective experience for everyone involved. Managing data also enables businesses to make more informed decisions than before. It can also deliver alternatives to ensure your goods are moving quickly to customers. Knowing trends will help you prioritize customer needs and create demand forecasts.
At Northstar, we understand preparation is key to having an organized experience for our partners! This is especially true as supply chain challenges continue to impact operations. We can complete our customers’ requirements efficiently and cost-effectively by meeting strategic goals. For more information on our services, visit our website!