Warehouse Wisdom, Weekly. 01/30/2026

🚚 Happy Friday.

Big tech is opening its checkbook this week, and the numbers are eye-popping. Amazon is reportedly in talks to invest up to $50 billion into OpenAI, a move that underscores just how central AI has become to the future of commerce, logistics, and pretty much everything in between. Meanwhile, Pinterest announced plans to lay off 15% of its workforce as it reallocates resources toward AI initiatives, a reminder that these massive investments often come with some uncomfortable trade-offs.

In this week’s edition of Warehouse Wisdom, we’ll break down what softer global shipping demand means heading into Lunar New Year, why ocean cargo volumes may cool this spring, how labor cuts and regulatory pressure are reshaping supply chains, and where ecommerce growth is still creating new opportunities for SMBs. Let’s dive in!

Global Logistics

Red Seas, frozen roads, and a canal that won’t budge

Global supply chains continue to feel the squeeze as geopolitical risk and weather disruptions pile up. The U.S. Navy has expanded its escort operations in the Red Sea, underscoring just how serious commercial shipping risks remain in the region. For shippers, this means longer routes, higher insurance costs, and more uncertainty layered onto already fragile schedules.

Meanwhile, the Panama Canal Authority is pushing back hard against proposals that would shift control of the canal to outside interests. Considering the canal’s outsized role in global trade, any governance changes would send ripples well beyond Central America. Stability, for now, appears to be the priority.

As if there wasn’t enough to deal with, Maersk warned customers that severe winter weather across Europe is disrupting port operations and inland transportation. Snow, ice, and flooding are slowing cargo flows and reminding shippers that Mother Nature still outranks every logistics optimization algorithm.

Freight and Shipping

Shipping demand softens as carriers get creative

As Lunar New Year approaches, global shipping demdand is showing signs of softening. Carriers are seeing quieter order books, which is easing some pressure on capacity after months of volatility. For SMBs, this may offer a short-term window of calmer conditions before peak season planning ramps up again.

Ocean cargo volumes are also expected to dip this spring, according to the latest NRF Port Tracker data. Slower import activity reflects cautious inventory management by retailers who are still balancing demand uncertainty with the high cost of carrying excess stock.

Not all freight solutions are conventional, however. DHL is experimenting with a hybrid truck-air service between China and Europe, designed to offer a faster alternative to ocean freight without the full cost of air cargo. It is a creative workaround that highlights how logistics providers are rethinking transit options in a slower demand environment.

Logistics Vitals

$15 trillion and counting: B2B ecommerce is quietly taking over

B2B ecommerce continues to grow at a scale that often flies under the radar, even as it reshapes how businesses buy and sell.

• Total B2B ecommerce sales surpassed $15 trillion, far exceeding B2C ecommerce volumes

• Digital commerce is now central to procurement strategies, not supplemental

• Buyers increasingly expect consumer-like experiences, including fast ordering and reliable fulfillment

If your B2B operation still treats ecommerce as optional, your customers likely disagree.

Supply Chain

Labor, regulation, and cost cuts

Cost discipline is clearly back in focus at UPS, which announced plans to cut 30,000 jobs and expand driver buyouts in 2026. The moves reflect lower parcel volumes and ongoing network adjustments as the carrier recalibrates after years of pandemic-era growth.

North of the border, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers reached tentative five-year labor agreements. While the deal brings some stability, it also highlights the continued importance of labor negotiations in keeping national delivery networks running smoothly.

In the U.S., the FMCSA is defending restrictions on foreign drivers despite backlash from multiple states. Regulators argue the rules are necessary for safety and compliance, while opponents warn they could worsen driver shortages. Either way, regulatory friction remains a variable shippers cannot ignore.

Online Marketplaces

Ecommerce growth creates new opportunities and new pressures

Ecommerce is officially operating at massive scale, with global sales approaching the $10 trillion mark. Marketplaces continue to consolidate power, shaping how consumers discover products and how sellers compete for attention.

Growth is not limited to mature markets. Latin American ecommerce is projected to surpass $215 billion, driven by improving logistics networks, mobile adoption, and expanding cross-border trade. For SMBs willing to navigate regional complexity, the upside is increasingly attractive.

At the same time, resale is emerging as a meaningful growth channel. Online resale platforms are benefiting from value-conscious consumers and sustainability concerns, creating new winners and new competition for traditional sellers.

Warehouse Quick Deliveries

Retailers exit 3PLs, Amazon cuts jobs, and more…

• American Eagle and Office Depot pull the plug on third-party logistics services

• DHL and others gain U.S. CBP approval to handle postal import duties

• Amazon plans to lay off around 16,000 employees companywide