Supply Chain News: Black Friday 2024 Logistics Updates 

Welcome back to What's The Big Deal?—your weekly guide to the top supply chain stories and why they matter. As we digest our Thanksgiving turkey, let's dive into how the supply chain is handling the biggest shopping weekend of the year.

The big deal this week:

• Black Friday Evolution: Doorbusters to Couch Commerce

• Trucking Industry Shows Its Heart: Holiday Giving in Focus

• Record-Breaking Holiday Sales Expected Despite Economic Pressures

• Amazon Workers Say ‘No Prime Time’: Global Protests Heat Up

• Spot Trucking Rates Show Signs of Life

Black Friday Evolution: From Doorbusters to Couch Commerce

Remember when Black Friday meant risking life and limb for a discounted TV? Those days are gone like last year's holiday fruitcake. Today's Black Friday looks more like a month-long digital marathon where the biggest workout is your typing fingers. Retailers now start their deals in October, spreading out both the shopping and the logistics load.

What's the Big Deal? 

For supply chain folks, this evolution is like switching from a sprint to a marathon. It isn't just changing how we shop—it's changing supply chain planning as a whole. Instead of preparing for a single-day surge that could make or break your quarter, we're now looking at an extended peak season that demands different muscles. For warehouse operations, gone are the days of dramatic staffing spikes and overflowing storage spaces. Instead, companies are adopting a steady-state approach with more predictable labor needs and inventory flows.

The catch? While this new model might be more manageable, it's also less forgiving. A system crash or fulfillment hiccup during the traditional Black Friday meant one day of chaos. Now, operational issues can impact weeks of sales and customer relationships. Success in this new era requires not just robust systems but also the ability to maintain consistent excellence over an extended period.

Read the full story: Associated Press

Holiday Heroes: Trucking Industry Shows Its Heart

While everyone's clicking "add to cart," the trucking industry is delivering something far more valuable than packages – they're delivering hope. Across North America, trucking companies are transforming their fleets into vehicles of change. From "Trucks Full of Hope" food drives delivering to food banks, to "Santa's Sleigh on 18 Wheels" bringing toys to underserved communities, the industry is showing that logistics can be a force for good.

What's the Big Deal?

In an industry often measured in miles and margins, these initiatives remind us that supply chains are built on people, not just processes. Beyond the obvious good it does, philanthropy in trucking strengthens community ties and employee engagement. For shippers choosing carriers, these community programs often indicate a company culture that values long-term sustainability over short-term gains. It's a reminder that in an industry focused on efficiency and bottom lines, there's still room for heart.

Read the full story: FreightWaves

Breaking Records (And Credit Cards): Record-Breaking Holiday Sales

Hold onto your wallets! This Black Friday weekend is expected to ring up $75 billion in sales— up 5% from last year. That's more than the GDP of some countries. Despite inflation and record credit card debt, consumers are spending like it’s going out of style. 

What's the Big Deal? 

For supply chain folks, this isn't just about big numbers. It's about getting everything right when it matters most. Think of it like a restaurant on its busiest night – every order needs to be perfect, every table turned just right.

Getting products to the right places at the right time is crucial. One mistake can mean empty shelves or angry customers. And don't forget returns – all those holiday gifts that don't quite work out need to come back smoothly too. Miss any of this, and customers might not come back next year.

Read the full story: New York Post

Amazon Workers Say ‘No Prime Time’: Global Protests Heat Up

While shoppers hunt for Black Friday deals, Amazon workers across the globe are making a different kind of statement. They’ve organized the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign, demanding better wages and working conditions. This isn’t just a small local protest—it’s a coordinated global effort timed during Amazon’s busiest season. 

Black Friday and the holidays are when Amazon is under the most pressure to deliver. By staging protests now, workers hope to shine a spotlight on issues like pay, safety, and workload, forcing the company to address their concerns.

What's the Big Deal?

When the biggest name in online shopping faces worker protests during peak season, everyone needs to pay attention. It's like if FedEx drivers stopped delivering right before Christmas – it affects everyone.

Businesses that rely on Amazon for shipping or selling need to be prepared. Protests like this can lead to slower deliveries or even disruptions in service. Smart shippers should diversify their logistics strategies, like using multiple fulfillment centers or splitting shipments across different carriers. The key takeaway? When workers are upset, the whole supply chain feels it. Proactively planning now can save a lot of headaches later.

Read the full story: FreightWaves 

Spot Rates Rise: Trucking’s Holiday Gift

Spot trucking rates are finally starting to bounce back after a tough stretch for carriers. While shippers are still enjoying rates that are 8.7% lower than contract pricing, the gap is narrowing, and that’s a sign the freight market is stabilizing.

This shift matters because it could mean the days of shippers having all the pricing power are coming to an end. For carriers, this recovery is a big deal—they’ve been struggling with low rates, too much capacity, and financial pressures. For shippers, it’s a heads-up that freight costs and market dynamics might change in 2024, making now a good time to rethink logistics strategies.

What's the Big Deal?

This could be the first sign that the tough times in trucking are ending. Think of it like seeing the first spring flowers after a long winter. While rates are still good for shippers right now, smart companies are already thinking about next year.

Our advice? If you need trucks in 2025, start talking to carriers now. Lock in good rates while you can. Because just like those Black Friday deals, these shipping bargains won't last forever.

Read the full story: Supply Chain Dive 

Final Thoughts: Why It All Matters

Black Friday isn’t the chaos it used to be—it’s more about strategy now, with people clicking “Add to Cart” instead of camping outside stores. But behind all the tech and planning, this week reminds us what really keeps supply chains moving: people.

From truck drivers skipping family dinners to get packages delivered, to warehouse workers standing up for fair treatment, to carriers finally catching a break with better rates—this season is showing us the heart of the supply chain.

We’re breaking sales records and redefining peak season, but maybe the real story is about finding balance. Balancing speed with care, efficiency with humanity, and profits with purpose.

And since it’s Thanksgiving, let’s take a second to appreciate the people making it all happen. Here’s to the drivers giving up turkey time to deliver someone else’s, the warehouse crews powering through after dessert, and every supply chain pro working to make holiday magic happen—one package at a time.

Until next week, keep asking: What’s The Big Deal? And hey, maybe save some leftovers for the folks keeping the goods moving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

About Cartage

Cartage delivers AI-managed transportation services to small and medium sized shippers across North America. Explore a future of logistics you don't have to manage at www.cartage.ai.