How Large Retail Chains are Transforming Their Supply Chains in 2025

The collapse of Bed Bath & Beyond in 2023 left a clear lesson for the retail industry: supply chain rigidity can be fatal in an environment where digitalization and automation dictate success. While the brand managed to stay operational in Mexico thanks to its independent structure, its parent company in the United States collapsed due to lack of adaptability. Now, in 2025, Bed Bath & Beyond plans to return to the U.S. market with a more agile strategy, focused on strategic locations, compact stores, and strong omnichannel integration. This case reflects how large retail chains are redesigning their supply chains to face global market challenges. Companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy are adopting new technologies to optimize their logistics processes and ensure their operations are more resilient and sustainable. In this transformation process, Control Terrestre, a freight intermediary, plays a fundamental role by offering logistics solutions that allow large chains to quickly adapt to market demands and ensure efficient deliveries. What drives supply chain transformation in 2025? Digitalization, sustainability, and the need for greater resilience are the main drivers of current supply chain transformation. Large retail chains are adopting these trends to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic environment. Digitalization and automation: Beyond traditional inventory The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital twins is revolutionizing supply chain management. These technologies allow predicting demand, optimizing inventories, and significantly reducing operational costs. AI and machine learning: Analyze purchasing patterns to forecast demand and avoid shortages or excess inventory. Digital twins: Simulate real scenarios to anticipate disruptions and improve logistics planning. Companies like Best Buy and Home Depot already use this technology to adjust their operations in real time. Warehouse automation: AS/RS (Automated Warehouses) systems and robotics expedite order processing and reduce human errors, improving delivery speed and accuracy. Sustainability: A key pillar for supply chain Sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity. Large retail chains are adopting ecological strategies to reduce their environmental impact, driven by consumer pressure and government regulations. Eco-friendly fleets: Walmart and Amazon are investing in electric vehicles and alternative fuels for their logistics operations. Sustainable packaging: Ikea has redesigned its packaging to make it lighter and recyclable, reducing costs and improving its carbon footprint. Renewable energy warehouses: Companies are investing in solar panels and clean energy sources to operate more sustainable logistics centers. Flexibility and resilience: Keys to facing global crises Nearshoring and reshoring have become key strategies to reduce dependence on foreign markets and improve crisis response capacity. Mexico has benefited from this trend, attracting investments for manufacturing products near major consumer markets. Advanced omnichannel models: Integration of physical and digital channels allows greater flexibility to adapt to demand changes. Options like buy online pickup in store (BOPIS) and same-day delivery from last-mile centers are now essential to ensure a smooth customer experience. Blockchain for greater transparency: Blockchain technology improves product traceability and guarantees authenticity, reducing fraud risks and optimizing supply chain management. Innovation in logistics: A competitive differentiator Large retail chains are betting on more agile and flexible operational models, where logistics innovation plays a key role. Collaboration with freight intermediaries allows optimizing routes, reducing delivery times, and ensuring total control of the supply chain. This is where Control Terrestre comes into action, providing solutions adapted to large chains' needs, ensuring their logistics operations are efficient and prepared to face any market challenge. Challenges and opportunities in supply chain transformation Despite technological advances, large retail chains face important challenges in 2025: Increase in operational costs: Inflation and rising logistics costs force companies to seek innovative solutions to maintain profitability. Regulatory compliance: Environmental and labor regulations require companies to implement compliance programs to operate sustainably. Adoption of new technologies: Investment in AI, blockchain, and automation can be costly, so companies must carefully evaluate return on investment before adopting these solutions. The future of supply chain: Innovation and adaptability Supply chain transformation of large retail chains reflects the need for constant innovation to remain competitive in an evolving global environment. Adoption of AI, blockchain, sustainability, and flexible operational models are now indispensable to guarantee efficient and resilient operation. Control Terrestre continues supporting large retail chains in this transformation, offering logistics solutions that ensure an agile, flexible supply chain prepared to face future challenges.