Logistics is a fast-paced industry that regularly sees significant trends emerge out of nowhere. From the ongoing trucker shortage to the complicated tariff situation, business owners and managers who can stay ahead of the curve are far more likely to remain relevant and successful than those with their heads in the sand.
If you want to be informed, there’s no better way to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry than with our monthly Logistics Pulse reports. Every month, we surveyed more than 260 logistics professionals in the US shipping and transport sector to better understand where the industry is going and how businesses can set themselves up for success in the long run.
Below, we’ll explain some of the key findings from the report, as well as explain some of the specific industry trends that have emerged over the last few months of collecting and collating this data.
Key Findings: August 2025
- Unforeseen circumstances (19%) is a top issue for logistics businesses, rising from 14% since May, due to volatile weather conditions across the US this summer.
- 52% of logistics businesses are spending more than 20% of their budget on diesel, as prices continue to soar.
- Staff retention and recruiting is only a priority for 14% of businesses, despite workforce shortages (24%) hitting businesses harder than any other issue.
- More businesses are worried about adapting to regulations than in recent months, up to 10% in July from 4% in May due to new English proficiency requirements.
- 45% of large firms reported high levels of freight haul, while only 15% of small firms reported the same.
Extreme Weather Leads to New Concerns
If you live pretty much anywhere in the US, you know that the summer has been nothing if not volatile when it comes to the weather.
From tornadoes in May to heatwaves in June to thunderstorms in July, the country has seen its fair share of inclement weather over the last few months.
As a result, logistics businesses are getting increasingly worried about the state of their freight in the face of the elements. In fact, 19% of respondents noted that unforeseen disruptions were the biggest issue hitting their business, making it the third most important concern for owners behind only workforce shortages (24%) and diesel prices (20%).
More importantly, this data shows an increasing trend for logistics businesses that are worried about unforeseen disruptions like the weather. In May, only 14% of businesses were concerned about this, with the number rising to 18% in June. Suffice to say, the summer is taking a toll on logistics businesses in 2025.
Rising Diesel Prices Are Cutting into Budgets
In June, the World Bank reported that the price of crude oil had increased by 11.3%, leading to higher prices at the pump this summer.
As you can imagine, this has already had a notable impact on the logistics industry and our data. For one, the financial burden is clearly apparent, with 52% of respondents stating that they are spending more than 20% of their budget just on diesel alone.
As a result, the price of diesel (20%) is now the second biggest issue hitting logistics businesses in July. This represents a steady increase from previous months as well, with only 13% of businesses stating the same in May and 16% in June.
Staffing Remains an Issue Despite Lack of Prioritization
It’s no secret that the trucker shortage remains a huge problem for the logistics industry and the supply chain as a whole. In fact, workforce shortages (24%) remain the most common pain-point for logistics businesses in July, which has been the case for the majority of the summer.
Unfortunately, businesses aren’t taking the shortage as seriously as is necessary to fix the problem. Staff retention and recruiting have become notably less common strategic priorities for businesses, with only 14% of businesses making a concerted effort to hire more.
It seems that in the current economic climate, logistics businesses are more prone to immediate cost-saving measures to stay afloat. Issues like vehicle upkeep (20%), managing financial pressure (17%), and even adopting new technology (16%) were all viewed as more important than addressing staffing needs.
Adapting to Regulations Is a Concern on the Rise
In April, President Trump signed an executive order that would require trucker drivers across the US to be proficient in speaking English. However, the deadline for businesses to comply was pushed down the road until June 25th.
Now, however, the deadline has passed, resulting in businesses getting more and more concerned about compliance. In fact, our data found that 10% of logistics professionals cited adapting to changing regulations as their top priority in July.
This represents a pretty serious spike as far as the last few months are concerned. In May, for example, only 4% of businesses were concerned with adapting to changing regulations, making it the least prioritized issue, behind the likes of sustainability initiatives.
Big Firms Thrive While Small Firms Scramble
It’s no secret that there is plenty of freight to go around in 2025. Our annual logistics report found that 63% of logistics businesses stated that there has been an increase in demand over the last year, and there’s no sign of that slowing down any time soon.
However, that doesn’t mean everyone is getting the same piece of the pie. Our pulse data found that 45% of large firms reported high levels of freight haul. Conversely, only 15% of small firms reported the same high levels of freight haul, pointing to a decidedly uneven concentration of demand.
Given the tumultuous nature of the logistics industry in 2025, this isn’t entirely surprising. Larger businesses are simply more equipped to weather the storms, both literally and figuratively, positioning themselves to more effectively handle additional freight.
Alternatively, small logistics businesses may be in survival mode with tariffs continuing to shake things up, which leaves fewer resources for handling this influx of demand.
Stay Up to Date on Logistics Trends
The Logistics Pulse report from Tech.co is a monthly collection of data from logistics professionals aimed at helping businesses stay on top of the industry and its perennially shifting trends.
If you want to learn more about the logistics industry, make sure to check back with Tech.co or sign up for the Inside Lane newsletter to see valuable insights from industry experts and professionals that could have a positive impact on your business.