5 Key Strategies to Improve Your Supply Chain in 2026 | FORTNA
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5 Key Strategies to Improve Your Supply Chain in 2026

Position your business for success in 2026 with five key strategies to optimize your supply chain using automation, robotics and data-driven insights.

by Tim Johnson

Stay Ahead in 2026

The supply chain landscape continues to evolve, and 2026 is poised to bring even greater challenges and opportunities for distribution operations.

Rising cost pressures, persistent labor shortages, and the complexities of managing SKU proliferation are forcing companies to rethink their distribution strategies. To remain competitive, businesses must focus on efficiency, scalability and innovation.

Here are five ways to improve your supply chain in 2026.

1. Optimize labor productivity and costs

Labor shortages and rising wages are making cost control a top priority. Forward-thinking businesses are leveraging technology to get more done with fewer resources:

  • Slotting optimization: By strategically locating seasonal and high-velocity SKUs in easily accessible areas, businesses can significantly reduce travel time and boost picking productivity. Modern slotting tools utilize data analytics to dynamically optimize layouts, ensuring they adapt to the ever-changing demands of the market.
  • Automation and robotics: Robotic picking systems and automated sortation equipment minimize reliance on manual labor while improving speed and accuracy. These technologies reduce costs and help scale operations during peak demand periods.
  • Inventory visibility: Real-time inventory management systems enable smarter stocking decisions, minimizing overstock and carrying costs. This ensures businesses can meet customer needs without unnecessary expenses.

2. Maximize capacity with smart solutions

With e-Commerce volumes rising, facilities need to handle more SKUs and orders without expanding their physical footprint. The right tools can unlock untapped potential in your current space:

  • High-density storage: Goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval systems use robotics to maximize vertical and horizontal storage capacity. By addressing SKU proliferation challenges, dense storage solutions ensure efficient utilization of every square foot of space.
  • Dynamic throughput: Conveyor systems and mobile robots keep products flowing seamlessly through the warehouse. These systems enable businesses to operate at peak efficiency even during seasonal surges.

3. Streamline returns management

Returns continue to be a growing challenge for supply chains, particularly with the continued growth of e-Commerce and the consumer practice of bracketing. By adopting smarter reverse logistics processes, businesses can turn a pain point into an opportunity:

  • Automated returns processing: Automation tools can significantly expedite the returns process by efficiently sorting, inspecting and dispositioning returned items, ultimately reducing labor costs and accelerating the resale process.
  • Reverse logistics visibility: Advanced software solutions provide insights into return trends, enabling better forecasting and reducing unnecessary costs. This transparency helps businesses manage the increasing volume of returns without sacrificing efficiency.
AutoStore R5 robot on grid

4. Accelerate order fulfillment with robotics

Robotic solutions are transforming the way orders are fulfilled, helping businesses meet customer expectations faster and more accurately than ever before:

  • Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs): These agile robots move products through the warehouse efficiently, eliminating bottlenecks and integrating with a warehouse execution system (WES) to orchestrate workflows seamlessly.
  • Robotic picking: By leveraging robotic arms equipped with AI-powered vision systems, businesses can significantly improve order accuracy and speed while freeing up human workers to focus on more strategic and value-added activities.
  • Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS): These modern warehouse automation technologies offer a high-throughput, goods-to-person (GTP) solution designed to boost speed, scalability and operational efficiency. Systems such as AutoStore and Hai Robotics are examples of how automation can transform order fulfillment by optimizing space utilization and picking accuracy.

When combined with a WES or a warehouse control systems (WCS), robotic technologies create a synchronized, highly efficient fulfillment process.

Women excited to receive a right-sized package - FORTNA

5. Enhance end-of-line packaging

The final step in the supply chain is often the most visible to customers. Optimizing packaging processes can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support sustainability goals:

  • Automated packaging systems: Automation in boxing, labeling and palletization reduces manual labor while ensuring consistent quality and faster throughput. Solutions from partners such as Packsize and Sitma demonstrate how advanced packaging technology can right-size cartons, minimize void fill and create a data-driven workflow that adapts to order volume and product variety. These systems help businesses to meet rising demand while lowering material and shipping costs.
  • Sustainability initiatives: Companies are embracing eco-friendly packaging materials and processes to align with customer expectations and regulatory standards. By prioritizing sustainability, businesses can build stronger customer relationships and reduce environmental impact.

FORTNA Can Help

2026 promises to be a year of transformation for supply chains. By focusing on labor savings, maximizing capacity, streamlining returns, leveraging robotics, and optimizing packaging, businesses can thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. FORTNA can help develop an automation plan to increase your distribution network reach, increase productivity and throughput, and provide visibility and the data needed to compete in 2026 and beyond.

Are you ready to elevate your supply chain in 2026? By embracing innovative solutions, you can drive efficiency, scalability and resilience—positioning your business for success in the years to come.

Lead the Way in 2026

About the author

Tim Johnson

Vice President, Systems

Tim Johnson is a seasoned supply chain leader with over 25 years of experience in delivering results across the entire supply chain spectrum. He possesses a deep understanding of the industry and a strong track record of optimizing warehouses, driving operational efficiency, and achieving customers business case realization. Tim is recognized as a solutions subject matter expert, skilled in building and leading high-performing teams and bringing a pragmatic perspective to complex supply chain challenges. He is a member of WERC and CSCMP.