Logistics is rapidly evolving from “back-end plumbing” into a “decisive battleground” shaping winners in ecommerce and retail, according to a new report from delivery and experience management provider, nShift.

Its ‘Future of delivery: key trends shaping 2026’ report identifies delivery choice, emissions tracking, data connectivity and AI-led planning as the core requirements for carriers and logistics providers.

“Delivery is the moment when a brand proves its commitment to its customers,” said Jurgen Leijdekker, CEO at nShift.  

“Consumers expect choice in delivery options, convenience and visibility in tracking and returns, while businesses expect actionable data and flexibility to manage transportation cost.  And yet, many delivery networks are still built for a different era.  Success will come to those who modernise their delivery infrastructure with automation, reliable carrier integrations,  feature-rich software and actionable data,” added Leijdekker.

The report outlines ten interconnected trends for 2026, grouped under five overarching themes, detailing a logistics landscape that increasingly digital, resilient and customer-centric.

• Customer expectations – Shoppers will demand more flexible and greener delivery options, spanning home delivery and out-of-home (OOH) locations, and will abandon their carts if preferred options are missing
• Core infrastructure and automation – Delivery networks will become more integrated, underpinned by AI and automation that improve forecasting, visibility and integration at every stage
• Resilience and sustainability – Supply chains will rebalance towards regional hubs and lower carbon operations as businesses respond to ongoing supply-chain disruption and tightening emissions regulations
• Operational excellence – Automation, robotics and digital twins will become essential tools for improving throughput, accuracy and service stability in high volume operations
• Market evolution – AI mediated shopping, omnichannel behavior, and cross-border demand will change how customers discover, buy and expect to receive their orders

These trends underline the need for delivery capabilities that offer genuine customer choice, reliable capacity and credible sustainability performance, with retailers and brands that modernise early best placed to win loyalty in an increasingly crowded market.

“Today, delivery is an interconnected ecosystem, where every touchpoint influences the outcome.” Leijdekker said. “Growth will favour companies that build strong delivery connections combined with software that allows them to swiftly adapt when market conditions or consumer preferences change.”