Retailers brace for peak season with resilience plans

The retail peak season in 2025 is shaping up to be more difficult than last year, according to new research from Deposco. Nearly half of retailers surveyed expect more disruption this year, citing rising costs, supply chain instability, tariffs, and unpredictable consumer behavior. To prepare, decision-makers are investing in resilience strategies that go beyond being “ready” to ensuring adaptability in the face of uncertainty.

Where gaps still exist

While most leaders express confidence about performance, the survey identifies five major gaps that retailers aim to close before the retail peak season begins.

1. Tech and data visibility

Thirty percent of retailers will prioritize real-time supply chain visibility. By linking data from regions, suppliers, and sales channels, they can better track inventory, supplier performance, and order flows. Visibility allows retailers to pivot quickly when conditions shift.

2. Multi-region supplier risk mitigation

Geopolitical instability, tariffs, and weather can disrupt supplier networks. Thirty percent of leaders plan to diversify across multiple regions to lower risk. Spreading supplier exposure gives retailers more flexibility when costs spike or shipments stall.

3. Demand forecasting with economic factors

Twenty-eight percent of retailers are enhancing demand forecasting by incorporating external economic data, such as tariffs and inflation. Deposco’s Tariff Tracker provides real-time insights, helping leaders predict swings in demand with more accuracy.

4. Cross-border logistics

With 26% of decision-makers focused here, retailers are optimizing cross-border logistics through real-time tracking, flexible carrier networks, and automated customs documentation. These practices help cut delays and reduce costs when global conditions shift.

5. Inventory agility

Twenty-four percent of retailers plan to build agile inventory systems, moving products seamlessly between channels. This ensures stock is available where demand is highest, avoiding both lost sales and overstocks.

From reactive to resilient

Retail leaders are turning to commerce intelligence tools and unified fulfillment platforms like Deposco to bridge readiness and resilience. These solutions break down silos between inventory, supplier, and logistics systems, giving teams a single source of truth. With real-time dashboards and AI-driven analytics, retailers can respond faster to disruptions and optimize supplier and logistics decisions.

Deposco also supports better demand forecasting by blending sales trends with external market data, while cross-border logistics benefits from automation and integration with multiple carriers. Inventory agility is enhanced through automated allocation, ensuring products move quickly to where they are needed most.

Long-term advantage

The shift from reactive survival to proactive resilience is becoming the hallmark of the 2025 retail peak season. By addressing gaps in visibility, forecasting, logistics, and inventory agility, retailers are not just preparing for short-term success but building a foundation for competitive advantage in the years ahead.