Uncertain Times, Skittish Consumers, and the Impact on Shipping Costs

Why It Matters

Understanding that hidden fees and delivery‑window expectations drive most shipping costs empowers businesses to cut expenses, protect margins, and meet consumer expectations in a volatile market.

Key Takeaways

• Consumers prioritize delivery window and cost over ultra‑fast shipping.
• Shipping costs rose 30‑40% since 2018, driven by hidden fees.
• AI‑powered platforms like EasyPost optimize carrier selection and reduce expenses.
• Demand is fragmented: shoppers shift spending to beauty, health, niche brands.
• Last‑mile failures now account for 53% of total shipping costs.

Summary

The episode of Supply Chain Now tackled the volatile mix of uncertain macro‑economics, skittish consumer behavior, and soaring shipping expenses. Host Scott Luton and guest Lori Ber of EasyPost explored why today’s shoppers care more about receiving packages at the promised time and price than about ultra‑fast delivery, and how that reshapes logistics priorities. Key data points surfaced: carrier base rates rose about 5.9% in 2026, but total shipping costs have jumped 30‑40% since 2018, largely due to hidden accessorial fees such as fuel surcharges, residential handling, and dimensional weight charges. Consumer demand is uneven—about a third of shoppers are trading down, while spending on beauty, health and niche premium items remains resilient, creating a “barbell” effect that complicates forecasting. Lori highlighted EasyPost’s AI‑driven marketplace that aggregates over 100 carriers, enabling real‑time rate comparison, optimal routing, and automated label printing. She noted that 53% of shipping spend now sits in the last mile, up from 41% a decade ago, and that roughly 8% of first‑attempt deliveries fail, inflating costs further. Tevin added that network designs built for average volumes crumble under promotional surges, forcing expensive expedited shipments. The takeaway for shippers is clear: focus on delivery windows, improve packaging and zone decisions, and leverage AI platforms to cut hidden fees and boost margin. By treating the last mile as a cost center rather than a differentiator and aligning marketing promotions with operational capacity, companies can navigate today’s volatility without sacrificing profitability.

Original Description

Speed has long dominated the conversation in shipping, but today’s reality tells a different story. In a volatile and unpredictable environment, success comes down to smarter decisions, not just faster deliveries.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Tevon Taylor are joined by Lori Boyer, Head of Content Marketing at EasyPost and host of Unboxing Logistics. Together, they break down what’s really driving shipping challenges today, from fragmented consumer demand to rising costs hidden in accessory fees, packaging inefficiencies, and routing decisions rather than just carrier rate increases.

The discussion highlights how demand has become less predictable, with promotion-driven spikes creating operational strain and forcing reactive, costly decisions. At the same time, customer expectations have shifted. Cost, reliability, visibility, and accuracy now matter more than speed, pushing companies to rethink how they design their shipping strategies.

Lori also shares how leading teams are responding by improving visibility, aligning service levels with customer needs, and using AI to support faster, data-driven decisions. This episode offers a practical look at how organizations can reduce costs, adapt to uncertainty, and build more resilient and efficient shipping operations.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(07:08) State of consumer demand

(10:07) Rising costs and volatility

(16:02) Do customers really value speed?

(21:34) The role of artificial intelligence in the supply chain

(25:16) Utilizing correct data before solving other problems

(27:51) Aligning service level with customer expectations

(32:25) About EasyPost

(34:21) About unboxing logistics

(36:01) Where sustainability comes in

(39:09) LLMs and shipping: What teams are already doing, with or without permission

Additional Links & Resources:

Connect with Lori Boyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/

Learn more about EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/

Learn more about Tevon Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevontaylor/

Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about

Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com

Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now

Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join

Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/

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This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com

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