100% of Retail Hit by Disruption: What the Data – and Your Peers – Are Doing About It

Why It Matters

The simultaneous squeeze on ocean and air freight inflates costs and threatens product launch windows, forcing retailers to either raise prices or sacrifice service. Adopting data‑centric procurement can reduce reactive spending and improve supply‑chain resilience.

Key Takeaways

• 100% of retailers incurred losses from supply‑chain disruptions in past year
• Middle East closures cut global air cargo capacity 18% in 24 hrs
• 54% of retail firms rely on relationship‑driven freight procurement
• Only 30% use data‑driven tools, below 34% sector average
• 95% of respondents ready to modernise procurement with independent benchmarks

Pulse Analysis

The turbulence that defined 2025 continued into 2026, but the nature of the shock shifted dramatically. While the Red Sea crisis proved that air freight could act as a safety valve for stalled ocean lanes, the Iran‑triggered Middle East conflict closed critical Gulf airspace, wiping out roughly 18% of global air cargo capacity within a day. With 25% of China‑Europe cargo traditionally routed through those hubs, rates on South‑Asia to Europe lanes surged by about 50%, leaving retailers scrambling for costly alternatives.

Xeneta’s 2026 Freight Report, based on responses from 450 procurement and supply‑chain leaders, paints a stark picture of readiness. More than half of retail respondents (54%) still describe their freight sourcing as relationship‑driven, and only 30% have embraced data‑driven platforms—well below the 34% cross‑industry average. Gaps in internal data (40%) and visibility into market versus contracted rates (35%) compound the pressure from tariff‑driven sourcing spikes of 35‑37% in apparel and leather, while fuel surcharges add another layer of expense.

The path forward hinges on targeted modernization rather than wholesale overhaul. Companies that replace carrier‑provided rates with independent benchmarks, codify mode‑shift triggers, and embed scenario planning into annual budgeting are already pulling ahead. By establishing real‑time market intelligence and flexible tender structures, retailers can pre‑empt capacity shocks, protect launch windows, and avoid passing volatile freight costs onto consumers. As both ocean and air networks remain vulnerable, proactive, data‑centric procurement will be the differentiator for resilient retail supply chains.