Warehouse Wisdom. Weekly. 04/25/2025

Happy Friday!

If you thought the North Star was just for navigation, think again—it now also points to Canadian warehouses. U.S. importers are heading north not for the maple syrup (probably), but for the bonded storage options that let them kick the tariff can a little further down the road. It turns out, Canadian bonded warehouses apply rates at the time of order shipment instead of at the time of entry, potentially lowering costs if tariffs decrease. Who knew trade strategy could look like a game of hide-and-seek with customs?

We'll unpack this week's warehouse and logistics news, including Etsy’s newfound love for domestic goods, California ports preparing for a not-so-swell swell, continued confusion in LTL classification, inventory stockpiles that just won’t quit, and more. Let’s jump in…

Marketplaces

Still growing, still discounting, still powered by mild consumer desperation

As if we needed another reminder that consumers aren’t exactly lining up to overpay, a new report confirms what your abandoned cart analytics have likely been shouting for months: price is king. Shoppers are scrutinizing every dollar like it personally offended them, and “brand loyalty” is starting to look more like “brand ambivalence, unless there's a coupon.”

Etsy, never one to miss a macro trend dressed in indie packaging, is now shining a spotlight on U.S.-based sellers. The move makes it easier for American customers to find goods that don’t come with the side effects of overseas shipping delays or customs hassles.

Meanwhile, with tariffs looming in the background, Walmart is countering cost pressures with—you guessed it—more discounts.

But don’t let all the couponing fool you: e-commerce is still on the rise. A new report projects continued growth in 2025, proving once again that convenience beats complexity. Even with trade tensions and policy hurdles, shoppers seem willing to brave the checkout button from the comfort of their couch.

And just to keep things interesting, the courts are revisiting the small question of whether Google should remain, well, Google. As antitrust deliberations pick up steam, the potential remedies could reshape everything from search algorithms to how small businesses get found online. So yes, the future of e-commerce may hinge on a courtroom—and not a checkout cart.

Global Logistics

China walks, DHL ducks, and ports take a nap

The U.S. government has hinted that tariffs on Chinese goods could be “coming down substantially.” Meanwhile, over in Beijing, officials are shaking their heads and insisting that, no, they are not currently in talks with the U.S. about tariffs. So, there are still some bumps in the road to hash out.

DHL, for its part, has taken a more direct approach to the tariffs: suspending all U.S.-bound B2C shipments valued over $800. And on the supply side, Shein’s garment district suppliers are shutting their doors faster than you can refresh your cart. As demand cools and margins evaporate, the ripple effects are hitting China’s textile hubs hard and fast.

And while all this unfolds, California’s ports are doing their best impression of a ghost town forecast. A projected 30%+ drop in import volumes has terminal operators bracing for quieter days, lighter ships, and possibly some long-overdue coffee breaks.

Logistics Vitals

Consumers still can’t find what they’re looking for

Despite the endless digital aisles and supposedly “smart” algorithms, consumers are still having a rough time finding what they actually want online—proving that more options don’t always equal better outcomes, just more chances to be disappointed.

• 84% of consumers said they struggle to find the right product online despite using search tools.

• 53% feel that online search is their biggest frustration.

• 72% said they abandon websites after negative experiences.

• 69% report having a desire for AI-powered resolutions.

• 49% of respondents have experienced AI hallucinations.

Domestic Freight and Shipping

LTL shippers scramble while retail giants race the clock

As the LTL reclassification deadline creeps closer, shippers are discovering that “close enough” data might not cut it anymore. Without accurate freight data, some could find themselves misclassified, mismatched, or just plain mystified by new rate structures. It’s a gentle reminder to brush up quickly on your LTL classification IQ.

Meanwhile, in the great race to your front door, Amazon and Walmart are going tire-to-tire in the high-stakes game of speed. Both giants are expanding their delivery capabilities in an effort to convince consumers that waiting two days for toothpaste is a hardship of the past. Call it convenience, call it competition—but don’t blink, or your next impulse buy might arrive before you remember ordering it.

Warehousing

Crammed warehouses are becoming the norm

In the age-old tradition of “panic now, rationalize later,” logistics experts are predicting a fresh wave of inventory stockpiling as companies brace for potential tariffs. Prologis suggests demand for space will spike accordingly, so if you were hoping warehouse rates might calm down… well, that’s adorable.

Warehouse Quick Deliveries

Humans vs. robots, Mexico rising, fast fashion fizzling, and crane wars

• Teamsters in CA are asking legislators to require human drivers in autonomous vehicles.

• Logistics players are doubling down on Mexico bet.

• Temu and Shein surrender market share in the U.S. 

• Chinese cranes are next up in the ongoing trade war.