Warehouse Wisdom, Weekly. 01/09/2026

🚚 Happy Friday.

Online shoppers showed up in force this holiday season, pushing sales higher as convenience and mobile checkout continued to do the heavy lifting. If you felt like your customers were buying from couches, cars, and checkout lines all at once, the data says you were not imagining things. Meanwhile, Walmart is wasting no time bringing artificial intelligence deeper into its stores, inventory systems, and fulfillment operations, signaling that 2026 is shaping up to be less about flashy tech announcements and more about practical execution at scale.

This week, we are breaking down what those retail shifts mean for SMBs, alongside global trade uncertainty, ocean rate volatility, hiring trends in warehousing, how AI is quietly reshaping warehouse operations, and a handful of regulatory and shipping updates worth keeping on your radar. Let’s dive in!

Global Logistics

Global trade uncertainty keeps shippers on their toes

Global trade continues to feel like it is being adjusted mid-voyage. Importers of furniture and cabinets received a temporary sigh of relief this week as tariff-related decisions were delayed, creating a short-term pause but very little long-term clarity. For SMBs sourcing overseas, that uncertainty makes pricing, inventory planning, and contract negotiations a moving target rather than a fixed calculation.

At the same time, broader tariff decisions are inching toward legal review, leaving shippers and manufacturers watching closely for outcomes that could ripple across landed costs and sourcing strategies. While nothing changes overnight, the message is clear: flexibility remains a competitive advantage in today’s global supply chain.

Adding to the complexity, supply chain concerns tied to recent developments involving Venezuela are once again reminding businesses how geopolitical events can quietly influence energy markets, shipping routes, and regional stability. Could this recent development bring the Panama Canal front and center in logistics conversations? Time will tell. Even when these issues feel far away, they have a habit of showing up later in freight rates and transit times.

Rounding out the picture, new data shows the U.S. trade deficit narrowing, a shift that may signal softer import demand heading into early 2026. For freight markets, that can translate into uneven volumes and mixed signals for carriers and shippers alike.

Freight and Shipping

Rates rise, capacity tightents, and carriers play the long game

Ocean freight kicked off 2026 with a familiar trend: higher transpacific rates. Carriers are pushing pricing upward as capacity management and demand fluctuations continue to shape the market. For SMBs importing from Asia, this reinforces the importance of budgeting conservatively and keeping conversations open with freight partners.

Domestic shipping also saw notable developments as a major U.S. shipyard tied to domestic manufacturing initiatives is already operating at full capacity. While this supports long-term infrastructure goals, it also highlights how quickly demand can outpace available resources, a dynamic that often leads to higher costs and longer timelines.

On the parcel side, OnTrac and ShipStation expanded their partnership to offer faster, seven-day delivery coverage across more of the U.S. For ecommerce sellers, this is another sign that regional carriers and tech platforms are teaming up to compete on speed without always competing on price.

Logistics Vitals

Inventory pullback sends a caution signal to the markets

A noticeable inventory slowdown helped drag down the latest Logistics Manager’s Index, offering a snapshot of how businesses are recalibrating after years of volatility.

• December’s reading fell from 55.7 to 54.2

• Inventory levels declined month over month, signaling cautious restocking behavior

• Warehousing capacity loosened slightly as demand softened

• Transportation prices showed mixed movement, reflecting uneven freight volumes

For SMBs, this points to a market that is neither booming nor collapsing, but rather pausing to reassess. That pause can create opportunities for negotiation if you are paying close attention.

Warehouse and Logistics Jobs

Labor pressures ease, but warehouse jobs still feel the squeeze

The labor market offered mixed signals this week. Overall layoffs fell sharply in December, suggesting some stabilization across the broader economy. However, warehousing and logistics roles continue to feel pressure, with job reductions reminding operators that efficiency and cost control remain top priorities.

At the operational level, USPS announced steps to remove unvetted drivers from its network, reinforcing how compliance and safety standards are becoming just as important as headcount. For warehouse operators and 3PLs, the takeaway is clear: fewer hiring headaches do not eliminate the need for tighter workforce oversight.

Warehouse Tech

AI moves from buzzword to backbone inside the warehouse

Artificial intelligence continues its quiet shift from pilot programs to core operations. Walmart’s latest AI initiatives show how large retailers are using data to improve inventory accuracy, streamline fulfillment, and reduce friction across stores and distribution centers. While SMBs may not match that scale, the concepts are becoming increasingly accessible.

Automation standards also took a step forward as industry groups introduced safety guidelines for humanoid robots. As robotics move closer to everyday warehouse environments, setting expectations early helps reduce risk and confusion.

On the returns front, UPS Happy Returns is testing AI tools to spot fraudulent returns before they become costly problems. For sellers dealing with rising reverse logistics expenses, smarter screening could be a welcome development.

Warehouse Quick Deliveries

Customs changes, returns frustrations, rate datea, and more…

• U.S. Customs moves away from paper checks, modernizing payment processes

• Consumers grow increasingly frustrated with paying for return shipping 

• A fresh roundup of new ecommerce tools hits the market

• New freight rate research offers insight into pricing trends