Editor's note: this Spotlight was first sent to members on October 8, 2026. We're republishing it on acwi.org so the full archive is in one place.
OCTOBER SPOTLIGHT
Members,
As we are getting close to the end of the year we are continuing to see growth and more opportunities than the first half of the year. I appreciate the work the team is putting in to make this happen.
This month, we are beginning a Member Podcast to promote our members and your services in the social media platform. Jeremy Van Puffelen, President of Prism Logistics, suggested it on our last quarterly members call and he will be our inaugural member. We will be contacting members for participation in upcoming podcasts.
We are also able to promote any new services you may have, or a new building opening, as we recently did for our Atlanta member, Corporate Storage.
I am also happy to report that Jose Larenas, our Strategy and Operations lead, has partnered with his old college, Penn State. He will be working with marketing majors from the marketing department to assist us in our marketing efforts to get ACWI more coverage and recognized.
Our next Members Quarterly Conference Call will be Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern.
Thank you for your continued support. We are working to generate more opportunities for all of our members.
Best regards,
Chris
U.S. HOLIDAY SALES EXPECTED TO TOP $1 TRILLION
U.S. holiday retail sales are forecast to grow 4.5% in 2026, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time. Online sales are expected to grow 9% and drive about 60% of overall growth, while inflation will account for more than half of the increase in spending.
- U.S. retail sales are expected to grow 4.5% year over year in the November–December shopping season.
- Online shopping is expected to accelerate, with nonstore sales up 9% and driving about 60% of nominal sales growth. In-store sales growth is expected to be similar to last year.
- Retailers face headwinds as shoppers' budgets remain under pressure from inflation and stalled wage growth.
Source: Bain & Company — U.S. holiday retail sales forecast
GLOBAL CONTAINER VOLUMES HIT RECORD HIGH
Global container volumes reached a record 17.3 million TEUs in July 2026, up 4.5% year over year despite geopolitical and operational disruptions. Freight rates also climbed sharply, while strong growth from Asia, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa highlighted continued resilience in global trade.
Source: FreightWaves — World container volumes post record 17.3 million TEUs in July
LEADING A FAMILY BUSINESS MEANS “WEARING THE RIGHT HAT”
Family business leaders often juggle roles as relatives, owners, board members, and managers. Clear boundaries between these roles help prevent confusion, protect employee trust, and improve decision-making while preserving family relationships.
Source: The Family Business Consulting Group — Wearing the Right Hat
SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS COULD RAISE CONSUMER PRICES
Ongoing supply chain disruptions are expected to hit consumers through higher prices, fewer product choices, and longer wait times. About 36% of U.S. businesses plan to raise prices, while many are building inventory buffers, nearshoring, and finding new suppliers to reduce future risks.
Source: DC Velocity — Supply chain shocks to hit consumers
DRIVER SAFETY SHIFTS TOWARD PREDICTING RISK PATTERNS
New research from Samsara shows that the riskiest 10% of drivers account for nearly half of fleet crashes. Combining behaviors like distracted driving, harsh braking, and nighttime driving significantly increases accident risk. AI-powered safety tools can help fleets identify these patterns early and prioritize coaching to prevent crashes.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ). Research: Samsara Compounding Risk Report
NAVIGATING THE SUPPLY CHAIN AI FOG
As AI adoption accelerates, supply chain leaders are being pushed to balance productivity gains with trust, governance, and human oversight. Gartner recommends defining a clear purpose for AI, testing AI-driven decisions against existing methods, and keeping people involved in complex decisions where judgment and relationships remain critical.
Source: Gartner — Navigating the Supply Chain AI Fog
AI WON’T FIX BROKEN WAREHOUSE PROCESSES
AI can improve warehouse operations through predictive maintenance, smarter slotting, labor allocation, and order prioritization. But if a warehouse has poor layouts, inefficient workflows, or bad data, AI can simply make those problems happen faster. Companies should fix their core processes and train their people before investing heavily in AI and automation.
Source: Tompkins Ventures — AI in warehousing won't fix broken processes
WEBINAR: STAYING AHEAD OF CARGO THEFT
Cargo theft is becoming more sophisticated, with criminals using identity fraud, strategic deception, and coordinated theft rings to target shipments. This webinar will explore how companies can reduce risk through stronger operational practices, real-time visibility, and strategies for both preventing theft and responding when incidents occur.
Webinar: October 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET
U.S. CARGO THEFT REMAINS A MAJOR THREAT
Overhaul recorded 605 U.S. cargo theft incidents in Q2 2026, up 5% from the previous quarter. Theft remains concentrated around major freight hubs, with California accounting for 34% of incidents and electronics the most targeted commodity, highlighting the continued need for stronger shipment monitoring and security.
Source: Overhaul — U.S. Q2 2026 Cargo Theft Report
SPOTLIGHT MEMBER: LANSDALE WAREHOUSE
Led by Paul Delp and his team, Lansdale Warehouse operates more than 500,000 square feet across five Southeastern Pennsylvania facilities, including two rail-served locations. The company combines specialized material-handling capabilities, RF technology, fulfillment services, and a transportation division serving the Northeast with GPS tracking and routing. Lansdale also remains actively involved with leading industry organizations and educational institutions.
Visit lansdalewarehouse.com or the Lansdale member profile.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SPOTLIGHT
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