📦 Warehouse Wisdom. Weekly.
Logistics news for SMBs. Picked, packed, and delivered without the bias.
INTRODUCTION / AUGUST 14 2026
Happy Friday!
Amazon is taking drone delivery international, launching its first Prime Air service outside the U.S. If you've ever looked out your front door wondering if your package would arrive before dinner, you might soon be looking up instead. Meanwhile, retailers are wasting no time getting ready for the holidays, with new research showing brands are planning their seasonal campaigns earlier than ever in hopes of getting ahead of shoppers and the competition. It seems the holiday season starts a little earlier every year. Pretty soon we'll be carving pumpkins while hearing Christmas music.
In this week's edition, we'll cover rising U.S. container imports, growing geopolitical risks affecting global shipping lanes, changing warehouse employment trends, Amazon's latest automation investments, marketplace updates from Etsy and eBay, and what's happening with parcel shipping, tariffs, and more. Let's dive in!
GLOBAL LOGISTICS
Imports surge as global shipping navigates new risks
Importers continue finding ways to keep goods flowing into the U.S. despite ongoing uncertainty. According to FreightWaves, U.S. container imports surged once again as businesses continued pulling inventory forward during peak shipping season. That momentum helped the Port of Long Beach record its second-best July on record, a strong reminder that retailers are still stocking up despite tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and shifting consumer demand. While that may be good news for warehouse activity, it also suggests many companies remain in "prepare for anything" mode.
Meanwhile, those global risks continue to pile up. Shipping companies are once again evaluating routes through the Red Sea after renewed security threats increased concerns over vessel safety and insurance costs. Adding to the uncertainty, the United States and Iran continue making competing claims over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping chokepoints. And if that wasn't enough, Arctic shipping routes also made headlines after a tanker was damaged by ice while traveling Russia's increasingly utilized Northern Sea Route. Whether it's the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz, or the Arctic, global logistics managers are once again being reminded that there is no such thing as a "boring" shipping season.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
A quick note
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Just reply to this email if you’d like to talk.
ONLINE MARKETPLACES
Marketplace sellers catch a break while Etsy and eBay build momentum
There was encouraging news this week for online sellers, with both Etsy and eBay delivering stronger-than-expected quarterly results. Etsy reported revenue growth of 6.2% as shoppers continued placing more orders through its marketplace, while eBay exceeded expectations thanks to steady marketplace demand and continued investments in AI-powered shopping experiences. For smaller merchants looking to diversify beyond Amazon, both platforms continue showing they can be viable sales channels.
Another closely watched e-commerce issue also received some temporary clarity. A federal appeals court preserved the de minimis exemption while legal challenges continue, meaning qualifying low-value imports can continue entering the United States under existing rules for now. The decision doesn't end the debate, but it does provide importers and online sellers with a little more certainty while the case works its way through the courts.
WAREHOUSE QUICK DELIVERIES
A $4 million shortcut through the Panama Canal
Apparently, time really is money. One shipping company reportedly paid $4 million to jump the line through the Panama Canal. That's one expensive express lane.
THE FULFILLMENT ADVISOR NEWS
WarehousingAndFulfillment.com is now TheFulfillmentAdvisor.com
For more than 20 years, WarehousingAndFulfillment.com has helped brands find their ideal third-party logistics (3PL) partners through unbiased, data-driven matchmaking.
Today, we’re proud to introduce our next chapter: TheFulfillmentAdvisor
After two decades in the industry. we felt it was time for a creative refresh that better reflects our expanded capabilities. In addition to continuing our unbiased 3PL matchmaking services, we are now licensed to provide:
Commercial real estate services
Full-scale business brokerage services
LOGISTICS VITALS
Warehouse hiring slows as the Labor Market continues to shift
Warehouse employment continues to soften even as the broader transportation labor market remains relatively stable. The latest FreightWaves analysis shows warehouse hiring continues to normalize following the hiring boom of the past several years.
Key Vitals
Warehouse employment declined by approximately 7,000 jobs during the latest reporting period.
Truck transportation employment changed very little, highlighting the growing difference between warehouse and trucking labor demand.
Warehouse employment remains well below recent post-pandemic highs as operators continue focusing on automation and productivity improvements instead of expanding headcount.
WAREHOUSE TECH
Robots multiply, networks merge, and cyber threats keep everyone honest
Amazon continues reshaping its logistics network, announcing plans to combine its air and ground transportation operations into a more unified network. The move should improve efficiency while giving the company greater flexibility to move inventory throughout its fulfillment system.
Automation also continues gaining momentum inside the warehouse. Both Amazon and FedEx are expanding their use of robotic arms to handle repetitive fulfillment tasks, helping improve throughput while reducing manual labor requirements. While robots continue taking on more warehouse work, technology also reminds us it comes with risks. Uber Freight confirmed a cybersecurity incident after hackers claimed to have accessed nearly one million files, underscoring the importance of protecting increasingly digital supply chains.
A QUICK WORD FROM US
Stop Playing Warehouse Matchmaker Roulette
We match businesses with thoroughly vetted 3PL warehouse and fulfillment companies - with try no fee for the outsourcer (unlike others that promise but charge under the table commissions). We are truly unbiased.
FREIGHT AND SHIPPING
USPS costs climb while carriers chase tariff relief
The parcel shipping world stayed busy this week. USPS transportation costs continue climbing as the organization adjusts to its evolving transportation network following changes to its relationship with UPS. At the same time, a new parcel surcharge helped the Postal Service surpass $20 billion in revenue, illustrating the ongoing balancing act between improving financial performance and keeping shipping affordable.
Meanwhile, UPS and FedEx are pursuing tariff refunds following recent court decisions that could affect duties paid on certain imported goods. The outcome could have broader implications for carriers, importers, and businesses navigating today's evolving trade environment.
"We are just a pass-through. As soon as we get that money, we are going to remit it right back to our customer.”
