In August 2025, a group of CEOs from some of Europe’s best known home appliance brands published an open letter to the European Commission, warning that mounting cost pressures and regulatory complexity were putting Europe’s supply chains under strain. While the letter focused on manufacturing, its message resonated far beyond a single sector.

As 2025 unfolded, many of the risks highlighted in that appeal became familiar challenges for retailers and logistics providers across Europe.
 

A Warning Became Industry Reality

The concerns raised in the summer centred on rising energy costs, increasing regulatory burden, and growing uncertainty around where manufacturing investment would take place. By the end of the year, these pressures were clearly filtering through supply chains, affecting pricing and inventory planning.

For retailers, this meant operating in an environment where disruption was no longer occasional, but expected. For logistics providers, it reinforced the need to deliver flexibility, visibility, and cost efficiency at every single stage of the supply chain.

How the Retail Supply Chain Responded in 2025

Rather than standing still, much of the retail sector spent 2025 needing to adapt. Businesses invested more heavily in automation, warehouse optimisation, and digital supply chain tools to offset rising costs and reduce risk. Nearshoring, supplier diversification, and energy-efficient logistics solutions moved higher up the agenda as companies looked to streamline supply routes and regain control.

These shifts were reflected across Retail Supply Chain and Logistics Expo, where buyers were increasingly focused on resilience and long-term stability from trusted providers, not just speed or scale.

Logistics as a Strategic Priority

A clear lesson from 2025 was the growing recognition of logistics as a strategic function. As manufacturing and regulatory pressures intensified, logistics became the mechanism through which retailers protected margins, maintained service levels, and responded to volatility.

Supply chain performance was no longer judged solely on cost, but on adaptability, reliability, and the ability to absorb external shocks.

Carrying This Into 2026

Looking back, the August 2025 letter now reads as an early signal of the challenges that helped define the year. While its focus was manufacturing, the implications were felt most strongly throughout retail supply chains and logistics networks.

As the industry moves into 2026, there is a clear priority. Building resilient, efficient, and adaptable supply chains will remain central to retail success. Retail Supply Chain and Logistics Expo continues to provide a platform where these shared challenges are addressed through practical solutions, collaboration, and innovation across the supply chain.