Trade Trends Report Confirms E-Commerce Urgency

Marianne Rowden, President & CEO of American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) tells Supply Chain Management Review that her constituents are not only aware of the transformational power of e-commerce, but fully prepared to embrace it.

“Our recent research confirms that this not just a trend, but something that is only going to become a complete game changer,” she says. “More modes are becoming digitized to accommodate the consumer demand, and freight intermediaries will have to deliver through many different channels.”

Late in December 2016 and January 2017, AAEI and Amber Road conducted an online survey of global trade professionals: manufacturers, shippers, logistics providers, and other related service providers.

The intent of the study was to create a report that provides a snapshot of e-commerce today and analyze the impact that the colossal growth of online sales, especially cross-border online sales, has on retailers, manufacturers, shippers and others.

The survey results were published in a January 2017 report, but some results were more puzzling, requiring further research. Responses to many questions needed further exploration; supply chain challenges were exposed, revealing trade trends that go beyond “just e-commerce” issues.

Building on the AAEI e-Commerce Benchmark report, this new and expanded report delves deeper into all of the key trends in the industry. AAEI and Amber Road are delivering an annual Trade Trends Report as a benchmark study for all global trade professionals.

Gary M. Barraco, Global Product Marketing Director at Amber Road, told SCMR in an interview that he agreed with Rowden that an annual report would need to be done every year to keep shippers properly informed about sudden changes in an already volatile marketplace.

“Speed, cost, and risk, are the main aspects we are tracking,” he said. “Because trade policies remain fluid, shippers must have the information needed to be flexible and responsive.”

SC
MR