What’s Next for Warehousing? Discover the 2025 Trends Shaping Fulfillment
The warehousing and fulfillment industry is evolving rapidly. In 2025, automation, labor challenges, and throughput are top of mind for logistics leaders. Here are 12 answers CEOs and COOs had to some of the most pressing questions posed in AutoStore’s recent global benchmarking survey. Whether you're a supply chain executive or operations manager, this is your go-to resource for navigating the future of fulfillment.
Automation & Technology
Q: What percentage of warehouses are automated in 2025?
A: 97% of respondents use some form of automation, and 50% have automated at least half of their operations. Only 3% report no automation at all.
Q: Which automation systems are considered most effective?
A: Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Cube Storage systems are rated highest for optimizing throughput and efficiency. Unit-load and Multi-load systems are seen as less effective.
Q: What’s driving the push for automation?
A: Rising labor costs, workforce shortages, and the need for higher throughput are key drivers. Automation also supports ESG goals by improving energy efficiency and reducing waste.
Workforce & Labor
Q: What are the top workforce challenges in 2025?
A: The top two challenges are workforce shortages (39%) and rising labor/resource costs (37%). These are consistent across regions and industries.
Q: Are companies tracking employee retention?
A: Surprisingly, no. While labor efficiency is the most tracked metric, employee retention ranks 16th out of 20 metrics—indicating a major blind spot.
Q: How can automation improve workforce conditions?
A: Automation reduces the risk of injury by handling dangerous tasks and enables remote management roles, improving safety and flexibility for employees.
Supply Chain Resilience
Q: Are supply chain delays still a major issue?
A: Yes. 36% of respondents cite delays and shipping constraints as a top challenge—up from 14% last year. Manufacturing is the most affected sector.
Q: What strategies are companies using to improve supply chain agility?
A: Businesses are investing in scenario planning, increasing supplier diversity, and near-shoring operations to reduce dependencies and improve responsiveness.
Q: How important is interoperability in supply chain tech?
A: Very. Integrating systems and data through APIs enables real-time visibility and futureproofs operations against disruptions.
Sustainability & ESG
Q: What are the top ESG priorities for warehouses in 2025?
A: The top three are:
- Increasing energy efficiency (55%)
- Reducing waste from damaged/perishable goods (51%)
- Integrating renewable energy solutions (38%)
Q: Are companies taking advantage of ESG incentives?
A: Many are starting to. There are over 1,850 global ESG incentives available, including tax breaks for low-carbon innovations and renewable energy adoption.
Q: How can automation support sustainability goals?
A: Automated systems can reduce energy use by up to 75%, increase storage density by 4X, and enable lights-off operations—cutting both emissions and costs.
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