Supply Chain Trends Your Business Needs in 2025

Jan 24, 2025

11 minutes

Contents

1. AI and automation in supply chain
2. Data integration and cybersecurity
3. Sustainability and compliance
4. End-to-End visibility
5. Collaboration and Innovation
6. The future of supply chain management
7. FAQ

Product quality problems, delivery delays and sales failures, lost orders and overstocks. How often do you face these situations and how much do you pay for them? The first half of 2024 saw a 30% rise in supply chain disruptions compared to the same period in 2023, with a total of 10,629 documented cases. Such statistics force companies to think not only about strengthening the overall process, but also its individual stages: from supplier selection and product quality control to the final shipment of products.

Digital transformation, automation, and advanced technologies are no longer optional upgrades – they have become essential tools for survival in an increasingly complex supply chain landscape. This guide explores five emerging supply chain industry trends that will define 2024.

Let's see:

Which AI and automation tools will help improve quality control and predict failures?
Why is it important to implement cyber security tools in supply chain management?
How to support sustainability principles?
What is end-to-end visibility?
How to collaborate effectively with suppliers?

AI and automation in supply chain

Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping the way the supply chain operates, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and growth. According to a McKinsey survey, early adopters of AI-enabled supply chain management have already seen remarkable results, reducing logistics costs by 15%, improving inventory levels by 35% and improving service levels by 65%. This is the highest cost saving compared to other business areas.

The main benefits of AI are the following.

AI-powered tools are helping global Fortune 500 companies map and navigate complex supplier networks, making it easier to plan for alternative suppliers in the event of disruptions and meet regulatory requirements. This level of adaptability and foresight is increasingly critical in today's unpredictable business environment.

The integration of AI with other technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is creating even more powerful solutions. In fact, almost a quarter of companies have already implemented RPA in logistics and warehousing, with a further two-thirds planning to do so.

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The main benefits of AI's powerful predictive capabilities and real-time data processing are how companies can optimise various aspects of core operations. Let's look at the key trends in supply chain technology.

Demand forecasting and inventory optimisation

AI-driven demand forecasting is a new technology in supply chain management that helps companies maintain the right balance of inventory, minimise overstocks and avoid stock-outs. It ensures that products are available when customers need them, while reducing excess inventory costs. Businesses can use tools such as:

Machine learning models – to identify bottlenecks throughout the workflow;
Time series forecasting – to optimise logistics and stay up to date;
Real-time inventory tracking systems – any change in delivery status or product condition is reflected on analytical dashboards.

✍ Example. Walmart uses AI algorithms to predict sales spikes during the holiday season, allowing it to efficiently adjust inventory levels across stores.

Production and capacity planning

AI systems analyse factors such as machine availability, raw material supply and labour capacity to create efficient production schedules and employee shifts to increase efficiency. This reduces downtime and ensures that production meets demand without bottlenecks. To test pick loads, you can create digital twins to simulate stages of the supply chain.

✍ Example: Tesla uses AI to predict production delays and reallocate resources in its Gigafactories, optimising the assembly line and minimising disruption.

Risk assessment and mitigation

By identifying patterns and anomalies, AI alerts businesses to potential risks such as delays, price fluctuations or disruptions in supply chain management and technology. To mitigate these risks, companies are increasingly using predictive analytics platforms, risk management software and AI-powered early warning systems.

✍ Example: DHL uses AI to monitor global events and predict disruptions to shipping routes, enabling it to reroute deliveries when necessary.

Read how to use IoT for better stock control

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Route optimisation and logistics management

Companies can analyse traffic patterns, fuel costs, weather conditions, and delivery schedules to find the most efficient routes for shipments, while using GPS-enabled AI routing tools, dynamic fleet management systems, and IoT sensors to track shipments. This supply chain management technology reduces transit time, fuel consumption and overall shipping costs.

✍ Example: Amazon uses AI to optimise last-mile delivery routes, improving customer satisfaction by ensuring faster and more accurate deliveries.

Supplier relationship management

Working with supplier data can help to identify the best partners, negotiate better contracts, and ensure timely delivery of materials. This approach reduces supplier risks, such as financial instability or production problems.

✍ Example: Unilever uses AI to assess supplier performance metrics to ensure raw materials are sourced from reliable and sustainable suppliers.

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Data integration and cybersecurity

Gartner predicts that by 2025, 45% of organisations worldwide will have experienced an attack on their software supply chain, tripling the number from 2021. Increased reliance on digital technologies and IoT devices has created larger data silos, resulting in disjointed data sets that hinder holistic supply chain visibility. That's why cybersecurity should be a top priority and a procurement industry trend.

Here are the essential security measures you need to implement:

Mantain robust encryption and access controls to protect data;
Implement continuous third-party risk monitoring;
Implement real-time security incident reporting;
Maintain strong data governance practices;
Conduct regular security audits.

Your supply chain cyber risk management programme should include well-documented procedures for assessing and regularly reviewing the security status of your supplier network.

To strengthen your data integration efforts, consider implementing unified data access integration, which allows users to analyse information from multiple locations while keeping the data at its original source. This approach adds an extra layer of security by keeping your data in its original location. Keep in mind, however, that this advanced technology for supply chain will only work effectively if your data sources are similar.

In one of our case studies, we have fully automated the car leasing application process. All the customer has to do is fill in a questionnaire.
The proposed solution is fully synchronised with all the bank's compliance systems and allows the required information to be queried simultaneously from different databases.

Reso. Personal account for car leasing

How we helped Reso become the first leasing company to offer an online presentation of the entire leasing package. Which also makes it easier to follow up. Insurances, certificates, statements - all in the customer's personal cabinet.

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Sustainability and compliance

Environmental sustainability has become a cornerstone of modern business strategy, with companies under increasing pressure to track and reduce their carbon footprint. According to the Supply Chain Sustainability report, supply chains account for up to 75% of a company's total emissions, making them a critical focus area for your sustainability efforts.

Companies that integrate responsible sourcing practices into their procurement decisions can achieve cost savings of up to 16%, while complying with increasing regulatory requirements. The global supply chain regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with new requirements such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission's climate disclosure rules and the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

To manage environmental impacts effectively, companies should focus on these key areas:

Track and report Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions;
Implementing sustainable purchasing practices;
Monitoring the environmental performance of suppliers;
Ensuring regulatory compliance in all regions;
Measuring key environmental performance indicators.

The investment community is increasingly factoring environmental performance into its decisions. ESG ratings now affect your access to capital, making sustainability not just an environmental imperative, but a financial one. Forward-thinking companies are already seeing the benefits – according to the Unilever report, brands that prioritise sustainability have seen a 69% growth rate in recent years.

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Business Manager

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End-to-End visibility

Building resilience in the supply chain starts with achieving full visibility across all operations. Recent studies of the White House show that sourcing diversification can reduce GDP losses from large shocks by more than 50% for countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Tracking and monitoring every component of the supply chain from end to end is no longer optional – it's a strategic necessity. This visibility enables to:

Detect and respond to faults in real time;
Make faster, data-driven decisions;
Improve inventory management;
Strengthen supplier relationships;
Improve customer satisfaction.

The FBI reports that cargo theft costs U.S. companies between $15-30 billion annually. To combat this, real-time visibility is your first line of defence against theft and other supply chain disruptions. Advanced visibility tools help you protect against immediate threats while building long-term resilience.

To achieve end-to-end visibility, you need both domestic and international diversification. These control towers act as central dashboards, giving you a comprehensive view of all operations and enabling you to respond quickly to potential disruptions.

Get our guide to using tracking systems for end-to-end visibility

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Collaboration and Innovation

The future of the digital supply chain depends on the ability to build strong collaborative networks supported by innovative technologies. According to the 2025 Top 5 Trends in Labeling & Packaging Artwork report, 82% of businesses believe that extending collaboration to partners and suppliers helps to avoid delays and costly errors.

Technology infrastructure plays a critical role in enabling effective collaboration. Cloud-based solutions provide a central platform where all parties can access, edit and approve information in real time. This accessibility will be critical as 45% of supply chains are expected to be largely autonomous by 2035.

True collaboration requires moving beyond traditional partnerships. Companies need to extend their collaborative efforts beyond tier-one suppliers to include sub-tier suppliers, contract manufacturers and logistics service providers. This comprehensive approach enables joint innovation, co-creation and more effective resource utilisation across your entire supply chain network.

One solution could be to develop a B2B cabinet for suppliers and customers to work together. The manager will be able to maintain a database of customers, track shipments and their status, and receive notifications of errors and delays. The restaurant or retail owner will also receive status updates for more flexible sales planning and stock management.

Polymertorg. Creation of a personal account

We helped to digitize the large businesses, reduce the labor hours on working with customers, improve the service, and step into a new digital era. This allowed the company to differentiate itself from its competitors, introduce analytics and marketing tools, and automate many processes.

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The future of supply chain management

Looking ahead, the landscape of supply chain management continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. Your success in this dynamic environment depends on how well you adapt to and implement the trends we've explored.

To stay competitive in the modern supply chain ecosystem, consider these essential supply chain management trends:

Invest in AI and automation to improve operational efficiency;
Prioritise data security while maintaining seamless integration;
Implement sustainable practices throughout your supply chain;
Build comprehensive visibility into your operations;
Foster collaborative relationships with technology partners.

The convergence of digital technologies is reshaping traditional supply chain models. Your ability to harness these innovations will determine your organisation's future success. As you evaluate your current supply chain strategy, focus on creating a balanced approach that combines technological advancement with practical implementation.

The path forward requires more than just adopting new technologies – it demands a fundamental shift in how you think about supply chain management. Your digital transformation journey should align with both immediate operational needs and long-term strategic goals. This means developing a clear roadmap that prioritizes investments in areas that will deliver the most significant impact for your organization.

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FAQ section

What is the trend in supply chain?

Current supply chain trends include the adoption of AI-driven predictive analytics, the integration of IoT devices for real-time tracking, and an increased focus on sustainability and circular economy practices. Automation and digital twins are also changing the way companies plan and monitor their logistics.

What are the trends in supply chain in 2025?

In 2025, we expect supply chains to focus even more on hyper-personalisation through AI, achieving net-zero emissions through green logistics solutions, and increasing resilience through localised production hubs. Blockchain technology will also become a standard for ensuring transparency and combating counterfeiting in global supply chains.

What is the latest in supply chain?

In 2024, the latest developments will include AI-enabled supply chain platforms, cloud-based collaboration tools, and autonomous delivery systems such as drones and self-driving trucks. In addition, companies are increasingly using real-time data to predict and mitigate disruptions, as evidenced by advances in digital supply chain visibility.

What is the most challenging trend in the supply chain?

The most problematic trend is the increasing vulnerability to disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, labour shortages and environmental crises. The push for rapid digitisation has also created gaps in cybersecurity, leaving supply chains vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks.

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