Warehouse Wisdom. Weekly. 01/03/2025

Happy Friday!

We’re only a few days into 2025, and while we all hoped the calendar flip might bring fresh starts, it seems the logistics world is sticking to its greatest hits: tension, breaches, and cautiously optimistic forecasts. In what can only be described as an unrequested sequel, Chinese hackers have reportedly breached the U.S. Treasury Department, sparking fresh concerns about cybersecurity in critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has struck Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.

On the brighter side (yes, there is one), the U.S. and Canada are stepping into 2025 with a "neutral" logistics outlook. Sure, "neutral" isn’t exactly a standing ovation, but given recent years, it’s practically a ticker-tape parade. Progress is progress, and we'll take it.

Stick with us as we unpack these stories and dive into the week’s other news, including fresh tariff dialogue, government-backed warehouse safety initiatives, holiday shopping booms, and more. Let’s dive in!

Global Freight and Shipping

Maritime revival, border diplomacy, and political pats on the back

The U.S. appears to have woken up to the realization that letting China dominate the seas might not be the best long-term strategy. In a move that might remind you of a student frantically studying the night before an exam, Washington is now pursuing a maritime revival to avoid the "significant security risk" of falling too far behind. It’s a bold strategy—one that might involve dusting off the phrase "naval supremacy" and adding it to the 2025 lexicon.

Meanwhile, Canadian leaders recently met with President Trump to discuss tariffs and border issues. It’s unclear if this is a serious diplomatic effort or simply an encore performance for everyone’s favorite tariff dramatics. Either way, it’s nice to see Canada and the U.S. having healthy conversations.

In other news, the White House is busy celebrating four years of supply chain accomplishments. From unclogging ports to unveiling new infrastructure projects, the administration has no shortage of talking points. Of course, the timing of this self-congratulation—just after holiday shipping chaos and a logistics year like no other—is impeccable. Nothing like a good old pat on the back.

Speaking of delays, things are looking particularly grim for Asia-Europe shipping. Port congestion and vessel delays have hit new levels of absurdity, leaving carriers and shippers scrambling for solutions. At this rate, it seems faster shipping options might soon include carrier pigeon.

Finally, a glimmer of hope has appeared in Egypt, where the Suez Canal has unveiled its new extension. The upgrades are designed to boost capacity and reduce delays—though it’s hard not to imagine the canal muttering, "Hey, at least I’m trying," in the general direction of Asia-Europe shipping routes.

Warehouse & Logistics Jobs

Labor and automation face off, and NY launches new warehouse worker safety initiative

New York is rolling out a new initiative aimed at reducing injuries among warehouse workers, because apparently, it’s 2025 and we’re just now realizing that forklifts and precariously stacked pallets might be a bit hazardous. The program emphasizes safety training and stricter oversight, which is great news for workers—and potentially bad news for anyone whose idea of “ergonomic improvement” is adding a coffee cup holder to a forklift. 

Meanwhile, the logistics workforce in 2025 is caught between the twin forces of labor rights and automation. On one side, workers are pushing for better pay and conditions; on the other, automation is waiting patiently in the wings with a "don’t worry, I’ll handle it" attitude. The result? A delicate dance where companies must balance investing in people while eyeing robots to fill the gaps. Spoiler alert: no one wants to be caught stepping on any toes—or budgets.

Logistics Vitals

Consumer prove their wallets weren’t empty to close 2024

This holiday season saw a 3.8% rise in spending, proving once again that no matter the economic climate, consumers are always ready to flex their wallets—especially when it comes to finding "the perfect gift" that will inevitably end up returned in January.

Key Highlights:

• Overall Increase: Holiday spending grew by 3.8%, compared to the previous year.

• YOY Change: 2025’s 3.8% growth outpaced the 3.1% increase from the previous year.

• E-Commerce Dominance: Online shopping saw a 6.7% surge, continuing its upward trend as consumers prioritized convenience.

• Brick-and-Mortar Sales: Physical store sales were up by 2.9%, showing a modest rebound as in-person shopping retains a foothold.

• Last Minute Rush: Sales over the last 10 days accounted for 10% of overall spending.

Retail Marketplaces

Big Lots finds a lifeline while TikTok dances on the edge of a ban

Big Lots has struck a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, agreeing to a sale transaction that could provide the much-needed lifeline for the struggling retailer. While this move gives Big Lots a shot at reinvention rather than total liquidation, it’s far from smooth sailing. For the logistics sector, the transition may spark a flurry of inventory reshuffling and store reconfigurations, adding complexity to an already unpredictable retail landscape.

Meanwhile, TikTok creators are bracing for a potential U.S. ban, sparking a flurry of activity as they figure out how to pivot their platforms. For businesses leveraging TikTok to drive sales, the question looms: where do you go when the app that drove your traffic goes dark? The logistics industry might not directly feel the hit, a few less “dance challenges" might just be a big win.  

Freight and Shipping Disruptions

Maersk has a stark warning as port contract talks resume

Maersk, the world’s second-largest shipping company, is sounding the alarm for customers to clear their cargo from East and Gulf Coast ports before the looming strike deadline. The idea of containers piling up like an unholy game of Tetris at the ports hasn’t motivated enough action in the ongoing talks. Procrastinators, take note: this isn’t the kind of deadline where "better late than never" will cut it.

That said, there’s a glimmer of hope—or at least a temporary extension of the suspense. Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to resume on the 7th. Whether this leads to progress or just another round of finger-pointing remains to be seen. In the meantime, it’s safe to say logistics managers are collectively holding their breath—and maybe a drink.  

Warehouse Quick Deliveries

2025 de minimis rules planning, 2024’s biggest supply chain stories in the U.S., Canadian logistics chaos recap, and more…

• Looking at the impact of de minimis changes in 2025.

• Top supply chain news from 2024.

• 2024 was turmoil for Canadian logistics.

• Say goodbye to echoing warehouse aisles in 2025?