The outlook for 2025 is challenging for any business involved in the retail fulfilment process – from online retailers to logistics providers. The changes to National Insurance and the National Living Wage made in the November 2024 budget has had serious financial ramifications for companies already operating on wafer-thin margins. Furthermore, consumer demand has also stalled, with the UK braced for weak consumer spending throughout the next 12 months as public confidence falls.

So how will the industry react? Where can retailers look to improve fortunes throughout 2025? Is it possible to cut costs without compromising the high level of experience customers now demand? Andrew Tavener, Head of Marketing, Descartes explores.

Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, introduced in October 2024, outlines significant changes to employment law that will affect how businesses engage with self-employed subcontractors. These changes aim to create a fairer balance between employers and workers while addressing gaps in the current system.

Bath Bus Company, a subsidiary of RATP Dev operating Tootbus sightseeing services in Bath and the Air Decker route to Bristol Airport, needed to optimise processes and sought a robust solution to enhance performance and streamline operations.

'FPSʼ collaborative approach has delivered a solution that ensures electricity capacity isnʼt breached when we plug in transport refrigeration units in depots. Their Operate platform monitors site usage and remotely controls electricity to their retrofitted ‘smart plugʼ. This load balancing really comes into its own in the summer months when the units require more energy and ensures we donʼt risk a breach.

Partnering with Flexible Power Systems has transformed how we manage and optimize our EV charging infrastructure. Their Operate platform has made it effortless to share our charging facilities with other fleets while keeping our own operations seamless. The automated transaction tracking not only simplifies billing but also ensures accuracy and transparency. This collaboration has been key to maximizing the return on investment from our high-power charging infrastructure and advancing our sustainability goals.

GXO’s CILT-accredited Female Development Programme supports women into management and leadership roles, with 20% of participants to date securing promotion following the course. The programme has proved invaluable for retaining and developing talent within the UK & Ireland business

As the UK gears up for this year’s festive shopping spree, retailers are increasingly worried about how to handle the vast number of unwanted items bought online and then sent back.

Cutting emissions has become increasingly important for businesses, as their customers demand not just the best service, but optimal sustainability that must be delivered efficiently within budgets.