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Multi-Channel Fulfillment Strategy 2026 | Tariffs Force 79% of Sellers to Expand Networks

  • Tariff pressures drive 43.99% of brands to expand fulfillment centers; 85.82% now selling on 2+ channels; international expansion accelerates to 43.51% of sellers

概览

The ShipBob 2026 State of Ecommerce Fulfillment Report reveals a fundamental shift in how e-commerce brands approach supply chain strategy, driven by tariff pressures and multi-channel selling demands. Released February 9, 2026, the report analyzed data from thousands of ShipBob customers and 416 ecommerce executives who collectively shipped hundreds of millions of units in 2025, providing 200+ data points on fulfillment performance and 2026 priorities.

Tariff Impact Reshaping Fulfillment Economics: The most critical finding is that 79.56% of brands reported US tariff changes in 2025 increased their business costs, forcing immediate supply chain reconsideration. This tariff-driven cost pressure is directly accelerating fulfillment network expansion—43.99% of brands plan to expand their fulfillment network in 2026, up from baseline expansion rates. Currently, 84.13% of brands already leverage third-party fulfillment companies for at least some orders, while 58.65% use multiple fulfillment centers. For sellers, this indicates that 3PL partnerships are no longer optional but essential for cost management and competitive positioning. The marketing implication: brands must now emphasize "domestic fulfillment" and "2-3 day delivery" as core value propositions to justify premium pricing in tariff-inflated markets.

Multi-Channel Selling Dominates Marketing Strategy: The report shows explosive growth in multi-channel selling, with 85.82% of brands now selling on two or more channels (up from 78%), 55.29% on three or more, and 14.9% on five or more channels. Notably, 77.4% handle B2B brick-and-mortar orders (up from 53%), and 43.27% sell on big box retailer websites (up from 37%). Over 75% plan adding new sales channels in 2026. Websites remain the dominant sales channel, while TikTok Shop declined in priority. This shift signals that sellers must invest in omnichannel marketing infrastructure—unified inventory management, consistent brand messaging across platforms, and channel-specific content strategies. The marketing opportunity: brands incorporating customization and branded touchpoints (80.29% do so) are differentiating in crowded multi-channel environments through packaging inserts, branded unboxing experiences, and personalized messaging.

International Expansion Accelerates: International expansion emerges as a priority, with 43.51% of brands planning to ship to or fulfill orders in new countries (up from 36%), and 30.04% specifically planning to establish physical fulfillment in new markets (up from 25%). Currently, 66.83% of brands already ship internationally. Compliance requirements are critical, with 68.99% of brands requiring specific fulfillment partner certifications including lot tracking and GMP or GFSI-certified facilities. For marketers, this indicates that localization—not just translation—is essential. Brands must adapt messaging for regional preferences, comply with local fulfillment standards, and communicate certification credentials to build trust in new markets. The 2-3 day delivery expectation (68.99% of brands target this) requires regional fulfillment infrastructure, making international expansion a capital-intensive marketing decision tied directly to supply chain capability.

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