Warehouse and distribution executives are using data-driven agility to manage disruption, strengthen performance, and drive growth in an increasingly volatile supply chain environment, according to research revealed by Easy Metrics.
“Volatility isn’t just a source of risk; it’s an opportunity,” says Dean Dorcas, CEO of Easy Metrics. “This survey shows that leaders who embrace agility, visibility, and smarter use of data can turn disruption into a competitive edge. Those who rely on outdated tools and inconsistent performance metrics risk being left behind.”
Key takeaways:
· Leaders are shifting from reactive firefighting to proactive, data-based decision making.
· Supply chain delays (52%), labor shortages (42%), and fluctuating order volumes (39%) were cited as the biggest operational pain points over the past year.
· Nearly half of warehouse leaders adjust staffing or shift planning at least weekly, and 25% make these adjustments daily.
· While 63% of respondents track facility-level performance or cost metrics, many still rely heavily on spreadsheets (69%), slowing response times and limiting efficiency.
· Only 27% increased use of automation in the last two years, with many organizations taking a “cautious but practical” approach.
· Warehouse leaders are prioritizing staffing flexibility, setting standardized labor performance goals, and exploring benchmarking data to improve forecasting, efficiency, and workforce planning.
