E-commerce to Switch Manufacturing Bases

E-commerce businesses are preparing to reshape their supply chains, as geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing disruption push resilience to the top of the agenda. New research from 3PL Fidelity Fulfilment, conducted with Opinion Matters, points to a significant restructuring of global production over the next few years.

A shift in manufacturing and fulfilment

The survey of 1,500 e-commerce businesses across the US, UK and Europe found two clear trends:

• 87% are likely to change their primary manufacturing locations within the next three years.

• 86% expect to open additional fulfilment centres over the same period.
  

Together, these signal a move toward more distributed networks. By holding inventory closer to customers, businesses aim to cut disruption risk, speed up delivery and simplify cross-border logistics.

Confidence and the role of technology

Despite the uncertain backdrop, confidence is rising. 88% of respondents feel better able to manage supply chain shocks than they did three years ago, and 99% see fulfilment technology as important to building that resilience.

Sustainability also continues to matter, with 89% saying their efforts have had a positive impact, rising to 93% in the EU and 92% in the UK.

Customer experience still leads

Asked to name a single priority, leaders put customer experience first at 23%, ahead of cost savings and sustainability, both on 19%. It's a useful reminder that, however much the back end changes, delivery performance remains central to keeping customers loyal.

The direction of travel is clear: flexibility, speed and proximity to the customer are shaping the next phase of e-commerce supply chains.