Top Five Logistics and Fulfillment Trends Shaping Q1

As we wrap up 2025, our team is reflecting back on a year of supporting e-commerce brands through heavy market pressures, shifting regulations, and rising customer expectations. Now that Q1 is around the corner, we want to share the top five logistics and fulfillment trends that we anticipate shaping the start of 2026.

The first quarter of the year sets the tone for the coming months. For e-commerce sellers, there is a real opportunity to gain a competitive edge by understanding changing trends and putting a plan into place early in the year. Below are the top five logistics and fulfillment trends that will shape Q1 and influence how e-commerce businesses plan for success.

Top Five Logistics and Fulfillment Trends Shaping Q1

1. Tariffs Will Be a Major Factor Heading Into 2026

President Donald Trump upended trade policy and the economy in 2025 by imposing a wide range of tariffs on nearly every country in the world. As we wait for the Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs, companies that source goods internationally are looking for strategies to minimize supply chain disruptions.

If tariffs are rescinded, the decrease in costs will affect freight choices, import timing, and even product development. If tariffs are not rescinded, brands will continue to seek ways to reduce risk by adjusting where they source materials and how quickly they can shift production, if needed.

For third party logistics fulfillment partners, such as G10, the focus in Q1 will be helping clients stay informed, adjust inventory plans, and anticipate cost changes before they take effect. Businesses that begin preparing now will be in a stronger position than those that wait until the impact becomes unavoidable.

2. Lead Time Prediction Will Become a Strategic Advantage

Accurate forecasting has always been important, but in today’s unpredictable supply chain environment, it will become a competitive advantage. Lead times can fluctuate due to a variety of last-minute factors, including weather patterns, container availability, port congestion, and demand surges, which makes real-time prediction a critical service.

G10 is leaning into this need by building forecasting tools that mirror the highly sophisticated systems used by Amazon. Very few e-commerce 3PLs give their clients access to predictive data, and even fewer offer tools that allow sellers to make smarter purchasing and replenishment decisions.

G10’s new Beta program focuses on providing sellers with better visibility into potential shipping delays, ideal reorder points, and expected receiving timelines. This early investment in forecasting will give the brands that G10 serves more control over their supply chains and greater confidence when planning inventory for peak seasons.

3. Use of AI and Automation Will Expand

AI is no longer a bonus feature. Today’s e-commerce brands increasingly expect their fulfillment and operations partners to use automation and intelligence to drive efficiency and accuracy. Sellers want AI-powered support that helps them understand:

• How demand is shifting in real time
• Which SKUs are likely to sell out
• When inventory should be replenished
• How to optimize storage and fulfillment costs
• Where errors or inefficiencies are occurring
• How to scale quickly without adding headcount

In Q1, we anticipate this expectation to surge. Sellers need smarter, predictive insights and more efficient order fulfillment. In response, forward-thinking 3PL companies are implementing AI-driven forecasting and warehouse systems.

G10 has implemented AI and automation across our operations. This fall we introduced Zebra’s AI-powered warehouse system, including autonomous mobile robots, to boost picking productivity by over 40%, reduce manual labor, and scale for higher order volumes. Beyond robotics, G10 leverages AI for forecasting and inventory planning, integrating these tools with our proprietary Warehouse Management System (WMS) and real-time data systems to enable data-driven and scalable fulfillment solutions.

4. More Brands Will Keep Safety Stock Closer to Customers

Between unstable freight timelines, rising carrier costs, and tariffs on imported goods, many companies are moving more inventory to U.S.-based warehouses, spread out across the country, rather than leaning heavily on overseas storage. We believe that Q1 will show a clear shift toward building safety stock in domestic fulfillment centers to avoid stockouts and expensive emergency air shipments.

This trend will benefit customers as well. Shorter shipping distances ultimately lead to faster deliveries, fewer damaged items, and more predictable delivery windows. For brands, it also reduces the pressure to over-order or take on unnecessary risk during peak seasons.

G10 clients benefit from our network of warehouses spread out in various markets around the country and our advanced WMS that helps sellers determine how much inventory they should keep stateside.

5. Flexible Fulfillment Models Will Become the New Normal

In traditional fulfillment models, sellers rely on one warehouse or one type of storage for their products. As we move to 2026, more brands are experimenting with hybrid structures that allow them to respond quickly to changes in demand, transportation costs, and shipping disruptions.

Flexible fulfillment solutions include:

• Splitting inventory across multiple regions
• Mixing in-house fulfillment with 3PL support
• Using micro-fulfillment centers for fast-moving SKUs
• Adjusting storage levels month by month

This flexible approach keeps costs in check and makes it easier for companies to meet customer expectations, especially during busy seasons or promotional periods. As more brands are looking for flexible fulfillment options, G10 is meeting this need by expanding our warehouse footprint across the country and into Canada and adopting tools to help clients maintain optimal stock levels throughout the year.

In summary, logistics and fulfillment trends are evolving, and sellers can expect changes in Q1 2026. Companies that stay ahead of these trends will be better positioned to scale and protect their margins in the year ahead. Brands that partner with 3PLs that offer transparent fees, flexible fulfillment models, advanced forecasting tools, and strategic use of AI and automation will have a clear advantage in an increasingly competitive market.

Gain a Competitive Edge with G10 Fulfillment

Achieve e-commerce success with G10's comprehensive fulfillment solutions. In addition to transparent fees and flexible storage options, sellers that partner with G10 enhance order speed and accuracy while cutting shipping and labor costs. Our scalable services adapt to each client’s unique needs, letting you focus on growth while we handle logistics. Enjoy a 99.9% on-time fulfillment rate, seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms, and the confidence that comes from clear, predictable fulfillment solutions.

Partner with G10 for success in the digital marketplace. Request a quote today.