The 28th annual Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) State of Logistics Report concluded that while US transportation costs were down -0.7% in 2016 compared to 2015, parcel delivery revenues were up 10.0% during the same period.
The sharp decline in transportation revenues reflects overcapacity in many modes including rail, water, and full truckload, whereas parcel spending increases were driven by "surging" eCommerce demand for smaller and more frequent shipments.
Looking ahead, CSCMP predicts that innovation will change the logistics landscape and make for a very uncertain future:
"Beyond 2017, logistics is moving toward a fully digital, connected, and flexible supply chain optimized for eCommerce and last-mile, last-minute delivery. The next-generation supply chain will enhance fulfillment capabilities and drive efficiencies through technologies ranging from big data and predictive analytics to artificial intelligence and robotics."