74% of retail operations leaders say they are waiting to see what Trump Administration does before fully dedicating budgets
“In addition, the results of the recent election and the new administration’s tariff announcements demand that brands reassess their supply chain among potential regulatory and policy changes, including the looming rule change that will close the 321 de minimis loophole”
The survey, commissioned by Cart.com and conducted by an independent market research firm, focused on the topic of budget allocations for 2025. Top findings from the study include increased investments in:
- Customer experience
- AI and machine learning
- Inventory management systems
- Real-time data analytics
- Cybersecurity measures
Despite some disappointments in 2024 investments, retail leaders are recalibrating their budgets to address inefficiencies, shifting funds away from costly last-mile delivery solutions and underperforming inventory management software and redirecting investment to promising areas such as digitalization, warehouse automation, and last-mile delivery.
“The retail industry is transforming even further in 2025, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer demands,” said Ilias Simpson, President of Cart.com. “In addition, the results of the recent election and the new administration’s tariff announcements demand that brands reassess their supply chain among potential regulatory and policy changes, including the looming rule change that will close the 321 de minimis loophole,” added Simpson.
