Welcome to the American Chain of Warehouses Spotlight
Dear Members,
2026 is a big year for ACWI organization.
We are celebrating our 115 year anniversary. We will be promoting our historic tenure while demonstrating how we have evolved to a state of the art organization, along with our members, employing the latest technologies in their organizations. We appreciate your support and dedication to the organization.
Recently, we had our first quarterly member conference call introducing our team and our 2026 roadmap for business development and marketing services.
As stated on the call, don’t hesitate to reach out to any team member for any of your organization needs.
Thanks,
Chris
Warehouse On Wheels
We recently met with the team at Warehouses on Wheels, and I am happy to share this information as a helpful resource for our members. Their solutions may be a good fit for facilities that need flexible, temporary storage capacity without making long-term commitments.
Warehouse Optimization with DexoryView
This guide highlights eight key ways real-time insights and automation can close efficiency gaps in warehouses, from autonomous daily cycle counts by robots to deeper visibility into inventory and space usage. By replacing manual checks with data-driven workflows, operations can significantly reduce errors, cut downtime, boost productivity, and reallocate staff to higher-value tasks while improving overall consistency and throughout.
Cold Storage Outlook 2026
The latest Refrigerated & Frozen Foods cover story highlights that although new cold storage construction is expected to slow this year, there are still strong opportunities for innovation, modernization, and strategic expansion in cold logistics. With older infrastructure dominating U.S. capacity, retrofitting existing facilities and adopting advanced technologies will be key to meeting demand and driving growth in the temperature-controlled supply chain.
| What You Can Expect |
Warehouses on Wheels |
Warehouse Optimization with DexoryView |
Cold Storage Outlook |
Racking Safety |
Spot Market Snapshot |
Warehouse Construction |
| Transportation Outlook |
| Robotics |
| Shipping |
| Workplace Injury & More |
Racking Safety 101
Proper pallet rack safety, including correct installation, regular inspection, and adherence to load ratings, is essential for preventing warehouse accidents and protecting people and product alike. Emphasizing best practices in racking safety helps operators reduce risk, minimize costly downtime, and maintain a secure, compliant facility environment.
Spot Market Snapshot
A seven-day lookback at Truckstop.com spot market data shows a strong increase in load-posting volumes and market demand at the start of 2026, signaling renewed activity across the spot market. While overall spot rates dipped slightly week over week, rising tender rejections and load volumes suggest early signs of market tightening. Economists note that activity matched pre-holiday highs, pointing to cautious optimism as carriers look for confirmation in the weeks ahead.
Warehouse Construction Outlook 2026
Research from Interact Analysis suggests that the U.S. warehouse construction market has bottomed out and is beginning a slow recovery in 2026, with previously delayed projects returning to the pipeline as economic uncertainty eases and e-commerce demand remains resilient. However, ongoing challenges such as high construction costs and tight financing mean growth will be gradual, and pre-pandemic levels aren’t expected until later in the decade.
2026 Transportation Outlook (Hub International)
According to the 2026 U.S. transportation outlook from Hub International, transportation companies are entering the year under financial pressure from rising operational costs, ongoing labor shortages, and broader economic uncertainties. Leaders are being encouraged to strengthen operational resilience by embracing advancing technology, improving risk management practices, and focusing on workforce stability to navigate persistent market challenges successfully.
Robotics Outlook
After a cautious 2025 marked by tariff uncertainty and delayed decisions, the AGV and AMR robotics market is entering 2026 with renewed optimism driven by stronger sales pipelines and continued labor constraints. While safety standards, market fragmentation, and long sales cycles remain challenges, automation adoption is expanding beyond automotive into logistics, food & beverage, and other sectors. The takeaway: growth is expected to resume, but success will favor vendors and operators who balance ROI, safety, and operational readiness.
Workplace Injury Costs
The 2025 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index shows that the top 10 causes of serious workplace injuries cost U.S. employers about $58.8 billion annually, with the most costly causes alone accounting for roughly $50.9 billion of that total. Overexertion and same-level falls remain the leading causes of lost-time injuries, underscoring the ongoing importance of proactive safety practices to protect workers and reduce costly claims.
U.S. Industrial Marketbeat Highlights
Recent Cushman & Wakefield data shows that the U.S. industrial real estate market closed 2025 with strengthening fundamentals — vacancy rates have stabilized as leasing demand held steady and net absorption improved in the second half of the year. Demand has shifted inland with major logistics and large users driving activity, while slower speculative supply has helped balance the market heading into 2026.
Pictured is a Spotlight Members Truck
My 3 Key Takeaways from NRF
1. AI is now table stakes
Even when AI is not a core part of a solution, customers are still asking how it is being used. Many do not fully understand what they want from AI yet. They simply know it needs to exist in the conversation.
2. Data is king, and most brands are still data poor
Clean, connected data remains a major gap for many organizations. Strong data foundations are critical for making smarter decisions across retail, marketing, and long-term business strategy.
3. Technology is reshaping operations from the inside out
Companies are actively investing in better warehouse, transportation, and business management software. There is a growing focus on simplified carrier selection, end-to-end visibility, and true landed cost to avoid surprise fees after delivery. Automation inside the four walls is also increasing to reduce labor demands and unnecessary touchpoints.
