Exclusive data from Linnworks’ annual State of Commerce Ops Report reveals that growth in both the UK and United States is widespread despite an increasingly complex operating environment.
“As retailers navigate the ever-evolving e-commerce industry, one thing remains clear: growth and operational maturity are inseparable,” says Jon Bahl, CEO, Linnworks. “Our new survey data sheds light on the ongoing growth of the market while providing clients with strategies for scalability and progress.”
Key takeaways:
● 89.6% (U.K.) and 88.8% (U.S.) of retailers report moderate to significant year-over-year growth. Growth is no longer constrained by ambition or demand — it is constrained by operational design and high growth is correlated with automation and multichannel maturity.
● Only around one-third of retailers in both the U.K. and United States report excellent inventory visibility across channels and warehouses. Inventory accuracy, fulfillment execution and system reliability remain the most common points of failure as businesses grow across channels and markets.
● 60.8% (U.S.) and 54.8% (U.K.) use AI chatbots for customer support. AI is also expanding into operationally critical areas, including demand forecasting, inventory and order management, marketing optimization and fraud prevention.
● 64.8% (U.K.) and 60.0% (U.S.) report operations that are majority or highly automated. Adoption depth varies significantly, and those differences are increasingly reflected in growth outcomes, operational resilience and leadership confidence.
● Carrier diversification is a clear sign of operational maturity. Retailers using multiple carriers are more resilient during peak periods, face fewer disruptions, and have more flexibility to balance cost and delivery speed.
