26 trends that will change logistics

Artificial intelligence and personalisation are the main themes behind trends that will play a major role in logistics over the next 10 to 15 years. It is leading to the rise of On-Demand Delivery and Augmented Reality, for example, according to DHL's 2016 Logistics Trend Radar. In the report, the supply chain giant takes a look at 26 trends that will change logistics in the next 10 to 15 years.

In doing so, DHL distinguishes new trends, the development of existing trends and trends that have become mainstream since 2013 - the date of the previous report. "It is incredibly difficult to predict which trends are going to have a long-term effect on the industry and which trends are short-lived hype," said Markus Kückelhaus, vice president of innovation and trend research at DHL. "The Logistics Trend Radar helps us and our customers stay ahead of developments."

According to DHL, 15 of the 26 trends will already have a major impact on logistics within the next five years. For example, DHL expects data-driven and autonomous supply chains to offer countless opportunities for optimisation of warehousing and last-mile delivery, for example. "Although the costs will be high at the beginning of the journey," said DHL.

Changing consumer behaviour and the demand for personalised products are also going to play a big role. "Consumers have their products delivered where and when they want, for example by using flexible courier services. In addition, the market for personalised products is growing. It might even win out over mass production. This is leading to Batch Size One, where production is decentralised and supply chains need to be flexible at all times to respond to changes in production."

Read the brief explanation of the 26 trends below. The full report, including recommendations from DHL, can be downloaded here.