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Month: January 2026

Plug-and-play Warehousing and Fulfilment

Posted on by David Priestman

Bleckmann, a supply chain management partner for fashion and lifestyle brands, has announced the expansion of its Bscale solution to the UK and the Netherlands. Bscale is Bleckmann’s modular, plug-and-play warehousing and fulfilment offering, designed to support brands of all sizes by streamlining access to enterprise-grade logistics services. This geographical expansion marks the next stage of Bscale’s growth journey, enabling more brands to benefit from this innovative solution.

Simplified access to expert logistics support


Brands using Bscale benefit from near-immediate access to end-to-end logistics support without the typical barriers to entry often faced by emerging fashion and lifestyle companies, such as for example high upfront costs. Instead, they can start shipping in a matter of weeks. A unique ‘pay-as-you-grow’ model ensures that brands are only charged for the services they use, limiting the initial investment burden.

During the initial pilot based at Bleckmann’s distribution centre in Belgium, Bscale grew from a single client to more than 20. Now, with the two new geographies added, brands looking to expand in the UK, the Netherlands and across Europe can get access to the logistics support they need quicker than ever. The entire process is designed to be as intuitive as possible, with quotes requested online, and all service information accessed through a centralised digital portal.

“Bscale is unique in that it’s designed from the point of view of fashion founders,” explains Maxim Sion, Business Development Manager at Bleckmann and fashion entrepreneur. “We’ve looked closely at how we can best unburden start-up and scale-up brands that might otherwise be managing their logistics themselves or working with a generalist provider. By offering access to the same Bleckmann expertise, infrastructure and technology enjoyed by brands like Karl Lagerfeld, COS and Gymshark, we’re helping companies to stay focused on building their brands while we take care of the logistics.”

Advanced automation drives major efficiency improvements


One of the key advantages of Bscale is access to over 160 years of fashion logistics expertise of Bleckmann, combined with high end logistics processes and automation. Brands like luxury handbag maker Sepi Agari and high-end menswear label Wolk Antwerp are seeing consistent reductions in fulfilment times thanks to the highly efficient and scalable solution. Increased speed does not mean compromising on customer experience in other areas. Additionally, Bscale clients have access to Bleckmann’s portfolio of value-added services. This ensures pristine presentation even as brands’ reach expands.

Scaling up an award-winning logistics solution


With demand for its plug-and-play logistics offering continuing to grow, Bleckmann is excited to support the go-live for its first clients in the UK and the Netherlands. This expanded footprint is also designed to support brands looking to test new markets without the usual associated costs and risks. For example, a brand currently operating from Belgium or the Netherlands, can now move a portion of its inventory to Bleckmann’s new UK Bscale hub in Swindon. This additional capacity will also be operated on a ‘pay-as-you-grow’ basis, allowing the brand to scale in line with demand.

Allowing both more efficient fulfilment and streamlined international growth, Bscale has been recognised within the year of its launch as a leading solution in the industry. At the recent 2025 SupplyTech Breakthrough Awards, it won the ‘3PL Solution of the Year’ category, cementing its position as a tech-enabled logistics toolkit for growing brands. “Bscale was designed as a modular solution, allowing brands to take the next steps on their growth journey in line with their expansion,” adds Sion. “Now, we are applying that same modular approach to the offering itself, and we look forward to supporting even more brands across more geographies to meet their growth ambitions.”

Four Trends Reshaping Returns

Posted on by David Priestman

The growing importance of marketplaces, sustainability and recommerce will drive four key trends in customer returns in 2026, according to new data from logistics and returns experts.

Advanced Supply Chain and ReBound by Reconomy surveyed 900 retail supply chain decision makers* to find out what will influence customer returns processing and management next year. The research identified four trends:

1) Making returns customer centric. Supply chain professionals (22%) ranked improvements in customer service as their top returns priority for 2026. Goals include making returns faster (19%), reducing the costs of returns for shoppers (17%) and shortening lead times for customer refunds (16%).

2) Streamlining salvaging. Retailers and brands want to increase the salvage rates (19%) of goods being sent back. A third of businesses (33%) plan to outsource returns processing to help optimise repair and restoration process in 2026, as they aim to boost sustainability and compliance, and develop recommerce models. 18% referenced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes as a key driver for optimising returns processing and strengthening salvage rates, while 27% are prioritising recommerce as part of their 2026 returns strategies. 32% are focusing on improving the rerouting of ‘beyond-repair’ returns to recycling.

3) Localising returns. The growing success of marketplace retail models is making international growth accessible and affordable for a wide range of brands. Attention is now switching to localising returns management to manage costs and reduce supply chain mileage. 35% of supply chain professionals have made local returns consolidation a top-ranking priority for next year. 18% are actively focusing on improving the returns management of goods sent back via marketplaces, with 16% keen to enhance the visibility of customer returns.

4) Monetising returns. 2026 will see the continued trend of retailers and brands prioritising the productivity and profitability of returns processing and management. 18% are adapting strategies to generate more revenue from returns, with emphasis on duty drawback from cross-border returns (20%), decreasing back-to-stock time (16%) and reducing losses caused by returns fraud (14%).

Alexandra Romantseva (pictured, above), Head of Marketing at ReBound and Advanced Supply Chain, said: “Growing consumer preferences for marketplaces, recommerce and sustainability can increase the complexities of goods being sent back by shoppers. There’s a risk of reverse logistics processes becoming longer and more fragmented, and this occurring at a time when legislation and consumers increasingly require supply chains to be more resourceful. Businesses are embracing this as an opportunity to rethink returns strategies.

“Emphasis is being placed on treating returns as a strategic driver for supporting sales, customer satisfaction, sustainable practices and cost management. Sophisticated tech is enabling this and it’s why, for example, we see around a third of professionals (31%) prioritising portals for e-commerce returns, and technical capabilities ranking highly during the outsourcing of returns.”

Stuart Greenfield (below), UK and European Sales Director at Advanced Supply Chain, added: “Forward-thinking businesses view returns as a supply chain hot spot for advancing circularity. Clearly defined salvage rates and robust quality inspections, backed up by returns management software and systems that enable connectivity and enrich supply chain data, can minimise waste and errors. This is why there’s such a strong focus on salvaging and localising returns – trends that are likely to grow alongside the popularity of marketplaces and recommerce.”

*About the research: Censuswide carried out online surveys of 901 senior supply chain decisions makers working throughout the e-commerce sectors in the UK, USA, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. Research was completed in October 2025.

DX Acquires HBC Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

DX, the parcel, freight, document and fulfilment operator, today announces the acquisition of HBC Logistics Ltd, a third party logistics and same day services business based in Bedfordshire, UK.


The acquisition comes just six months after the appointment of Ian Truesdale as CEO last July by DX’s parent company, H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm with $70 billion of assets under management. It marks the first step in the company’s next phase of growth and reflects the leadership’s ambitions to scale and evolve DX.


Founded in 2017, HBC Logistics delivers rapid and scheduled logistics solutions, offering warehousing and fulfilment, palletised freight, same-day courier services and international shipping. It is headquartered at Stratton Business Park in Biggleswade, where it operates a 62,000 sq ft. facility, and has additional support centres in Hertfordshire, Cambridge and London. Its footprint spans the South East, West Midlands and East Midlands, supported by a diverse fleet ranging from small vans to articulated HGVs. It is a Platinum-rated member of the United Pallet Network and Palletforce, and partners with a number of global carriers. In recent years, the business has also taken steps to strengthen its sustainability credentials, including partnering with Carbon Neutral Britain, the UK’s leading carbon-offseting initiative.


Ian Truesdale, Chief Executive Officer of DX, commenting on the acquisition said: “We’re delighted to welcome the team at HBC Logistics to DX. They bring valuable operational capability and sector experience as we continue to evolve the business, particularly across our DX Fulfilment and DX SameDay propositions. “This acquisition marks the next phase in DX’s expansion and development. It reflects deliberate choices about where we invest and how we grow, both organically and through future acquisitions. DX turned 50 last year, and we are moving forward with intent, investing in our services, developing our people and delivering greater value for our customers. Bringing HBC into the business is an early example of that direction in action.”


Will Wright, Chief Financial Officer of DX, added: “This acquisition is an excellent fit and natural commercial progression for both DX and HBC. HBC has built a disciplined, high-quality operation that complements our services portfolio and will underpin efficient growth in key regions. This is exactly the kind of targeted, strategic investment we are committed to making as we scale the business.”

Ben Weldon (pictured, above), Director of HBC Logistics, said: “DX is passionately committed to serving its customers’ needs and, culturally, we share the same values. This makes for a very good union. We have been impressed by DX’s growth trajectory and are excited by their ambi􀆟ous plans for expansion. We look to the future with confidence.”

Dave Northfield, Director of HBC Logistics, added: “This next step with DX brings many opportunities for our team, our customers and the future of the business. We’re proud of what we’ve built at HBC and joining DX means we can keep building, now with even greater scale and support behind us.”

WEBINAR: Why OMS is the Missing Link in Digital Supply Chains

Posted on by Will Priestman

Hosted by Peter MacLeod, Editor of Logistics Business, this expert session brings together Infios and Deloitte to provide practical, real-world insight into how OMS platforms are helping organisations gain visibility, agility and control across increasingly complex supply chain networks.

📅 Date: 5 February 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00am GMT
💻 Format: Live online webinar – free to attend

Secure Your Place

Why You Should Attend

If you’re struggling with fragmented systems, limited order visibility or the growing complexity of omnichannel fulfilment, this webinar will show you how a modern OMS can help close the gap between planning and execution.

By registering, you will:

  • Understand why OMS is now a strategic requirement, not just an IT upgrade
  • Learn how leading organisations are using OMS to orchestrate orders across channels and partners
  • Hear how AI and automation are improving fulfilment decisions and customer service
  • Gain expert insight into integrating OMS with ERP, WMS and TMS platforms
  • Take away practical guidance you can apply immediately to your own digital transformation plans

Expert Panel

The session will be hosted by Peter MacLeod, Editor of Logistics Business, with expert contributions from:

  • Fabien Kbaïer, Sales Director OMS – EMEA, Infios
  • Saartje Smolders, Senior Manager – Supply Chain & Network Operations, Deloitte

Whether you’re a supply chain director, logistics manager, IT leader or digital transformation specialist, this webinar will give you the insight needed to make smarter, more connected order management decisions.

Register now to secure your spot and gain access to the live session and on-demand recording.

Register For Free

Beyond Solar – Energy Reality for Warehousing

Posted on by David Priestman

For the warehousing sector, the pressure to decarbonise to meet stricter energy efficiency and sustainability standards has undoubtedly been building over the past 12 months. Heading into a new year offers a chance to take stock and look at the options to make purposeful changes. David Woon (pictured, below), head of net zero engineering and operations at Ennovus Solutions, offers an insightful roundup of the year’s most significant developments and a look ahead into 2026, exploring the next frontiers in achieving net zero for warehousing businesses.


2025 has been a landmark year for renewable energy, with solar and wind surpassing coal as the world’s top source of electricity generation for the first time. In the UK specifically, more impactful plans were put in place by the government to help the country achieve net zero, such as the hotly anticipated Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which became law in December. However, it has also been a year of increased challenges for many sectors.


The convergence of rising operational costs, grid instability and pressure from supply chains on top of new government mandates, are all forcing warehousing and logistics operators to redefine their relationship with energy. In 2026, there is arguably more potential than ever for a smart warehouse to act as its own power plant. Your roof isn’t just a cover; it’s your greatest untapped financial asset.


A look back on the year’s defining moments


2025 has left us with a lasting sense of political uncertainty, which has resulted in an overwhelming feeling that, as a business, we must move away from long-term goals and support more businesses in taking action now.


Perhaps most importantly, this year has proved above all that the move towards sustainable operations and harnessing renewables is fundamental to protecting the bottom line. The 2025 B Lab UK data released in November, shows B Corps saw 20% turnover growth vs. 3% for standard SMEs, proving that sustainability is now a marker of high-performing, resilient companies.

As businesses face the reality of high capital costs and the long-term nature of energy transitions, the emphasis has shifted to data-driven audits that ensure financial viability for the future. This financial wariness is operating against a backdrop of unprecedented grid strain; the explosive growth of AI and data centres has transformed energy demand from a steady climb into a steep surge. This pressure is acting as a catalyst, forcing many organisations to consider on-site renewables, even as they navigate the high initial price tag of energy independence.


Despite political rhetoric, it has been positive to see that the global momentum for sustainability remains resilient. Locally, the publication of government solar and wind roadmaps has provided a much-needed, if imperfect, sense of direction, reinforcing green building mandates that are now standard in many sectors. Ultimately, 2025 has been the year in which climate awareness moved from a global concern to a local risk, pushing partners and supply chains to integrate mandatory renewables as a matter of basic business resilience rather than just corporate social responsibility.


Shifting up a gear for 2026


Looking ahead, we hope to see more decentralised resilience, with the warehousing sector shifting toward energy independence. Large-footprint sites are a perfect scenario for holistic, renewable technology, combining roof-mounted solar and wind turbines. This could likely be supercharged by a massive drop in battery storage prices, making it economically viable for warehouses with low base loads but high physical space to store excess generation for peak use. The strategic value of feasibility studies and audits will therefore be more important, as businesses move away from trial-and-error toward data-backed models that identify the exact mix of technologies needed to avoid price volatility and supply chain fragility.


The regulatory and political landscape does present a complex push-pull dynamic for investors. On the positive side, the National Energy System Operator has finally broken the gridlock by clearing the connections queue and issuing new offers, which will trigger a surge in renewable construction across the country. However, this momentum is shadowed by political instability. The rise of alternative movements with virtually non-existent net-zero policies, or that actively reject the concept of net zero, has created a climate of caution. However, many firms are now framing their energy investments primarily through a cost and resilience lens rather than a purely environmental one – something that will certainly continue into the new year.


The cost of doing nothing


The UK warehousing sector is ripe for the renewable switch, but the window for early-mover advantage is closing fast. As we look toward 2026, the transition has shifted from a sustainability nice-to-have to a fundamental pillar of operational resilience. Businesses that wait to explore renewable opportunities risk facing exponentially higher grid costs, increasingly punitive mandates and a total loss of competitive edge against B-Corp-aligned peers who have already secured their energy independence. In an era of political and infrastructure instability, the choice is simple.

Year of Progress for Shipping Group

Posted on by David Priestman

One of Scotland’s leading shipping and logistics firms, Streamline Shipping Group, reflects on a landmark year shaped by high-profile event partnerships, major steps forward in sustainable logistics, and a deepening commitment to communities across the Highlands and Islands.


For the Streamline Shipping team, the busiest month of the year came in July, as the team supported one of the most memorable weeks in Aberdeen’s history as the Regent and Blaikies Quay Sponsor at the Tall Ships Races 2025. The event was a huge success for all involved, turning the Port of Aberdeen’s North Harbour into a four-day festival with around 50 tall ships, live music, street food and an estimated 400,000 visitors.


A few days later, the team was back in the thick of it, as the Official Logistics Partner for the Orkney Island Games, the largest event ever held on the islands. Marking the 40th anniversary of the International Island Games, the celebration welcomed athletes from 24 island communities around the world.


Will Rodger, Service Manager at Streamline, said: “Being involved in two huge events so close together was a real highlight for us. The Tall Ships brought an incredible atmosphere to Aberdeen, and the Island Games meant so much to everyone in Orkney. Seeing our teams step up for both occasions, often working quietly in the background to keep everything moving, made me really proud.”


However, away from the crowds and celebrations, another side of the business was gathering pace as Streamline worked closely with UK-based autonomous aviation company, Windracers, who design, manufacture and operate heavy-lift, long-range cargo drones. Over nine weeks, the two teams completed one of the most ambitious autonomous delivery trials in the UK, where Drones flew more than 2,000 km between Orkney’s islands to transport medical samples, water tests, shellfish and other everyday parcels, handling up to 90 percent of last-mile deliveries.


Due to the success of the trial, Streamline has now been named a partner in the next phase of Innovate UK’s Sustainable Aviation Test Environment, which will explore the potential for a drone network linking Orkney, Shetland and other remote regions.


Rodger shared: “What we achieved with the drone trials genuinely felt like the future arriving. When you see a parcel taking off from one island and landing on another, completely autonomously, and doing it safely, consistently and with no environmental disruption, it changes what you believe is possible for technology as well as remote, sustainable logistics.”


Elsewhere, Streamline continued to deepen its support for local communities throughout 2025. In Orkney, the business provided free transport of building materials and specialist furnishings for The Peedie Retreat, a fully accessible seaside sanctuary for individuals affected by cancer, MS and MND. The team also assisted NHS partners across Scotland, including delivering a palliative cuddle bed to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Shetland and supporting the installation of a Breathing Space mental health bench at FDAMH.
Internationally, Streamline partnered with Rendall FC and University of Glasgow researchers to transport donated football kits from Orkney to Malawi, supporting rural health outreach programmes through community sport.


“Community work is not something we do on the side, it is part of who we are,” said Rodger. “From local charities to NHS partners to families who need a hand, our approach is always the same. We treat every request with care, respect and the determination to make a difference.”


Now, as the company moves into 2026, the team will be pushing forward with plans to expand its drone logistics, deepen its UK and island networks, and invest further in low-carbon transport solutions, ensuring the business remains resilient, reliable and ready for the challenges ahead.


PODCAST: Revolutionising Logistics with Reusable Packaging

Posted on by Will Priestman

In the latest episode of Logistics Business Conversations, host Peter MacLeod sits down with Jason Li, the General Manager of Europe for ALSCO, to delve into the evolving landscape of logistics packaging. The episode centers around ALSCO’s pioneering efforts in promoting sustainable logistics through their innovative reusable packaging solutions. As businesses worldwide strive to reduce their carbon footprint, ALSCO’s shared leasing and pooling service emerges as a game-changer, offering standardized and recyclable packaging options that significantly cut down on waste and emissions.

Jason shares insights into ALSCO’s core business model, which focuses on the lifecycle management of reusable packaging, from design and production to recycling and reuse. This approach not only reduces capital investment for customers but also enhances supply chain efficiency and sustainability. The conversation highlights ALSCO’s strategic focus on key European markets, including automotive, new energy vehicles, chemicals, and retail, where the demand for durable and traceable packaging is paramount.

The episode also explores the role of digitalization in logistics, with ALSCO’s “Find Me” data platform enabling real-time tracking of assets, thereby improving pooling efficiency and reducing loss rates. Jason discusses the integration of IoT and RFID technologies in ALSCO’s packaging solutions, providing customers with advanced monitoring capabilities and supporting efficient warehousing management.

As the logistics industry faces increasing regulatory pressures, ALSCO’s commitment to sustainability and innovation positions them as a leader in the transition towards a circular economy. The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the future of logistics packaging, emphasizing the growing importance of reusable solutions in achieving net-zero goals and driving industry-wide transformation.

Freight Predictions for 2026

Posted on by David Priestman

SMBs cannot afford ‘blind’ shipping anymore, says Carmit Glik (pictured) of Ship4wd, setting out her forecasts for cargo this year.

As 2026 gets underway, global freight is entering a phase defined less by recovery and more by permanent volatility. What was once viewed as a series of temporary disruptions has evolved into a structurally unstable operating environment. Geopolitical instability, shifting trade routes, and the long tail of tariff uncertainty are continuing to reshape how goods move around the world, forcing businesses to rethink long-established assumptions about cost, reliability, and planning.


One of the most visible changes is the acceleration of cargo diversification away from China toward Southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South America, as companies seek to reduce dependency on any single geography. This redistribution is altering traditional trade lanes and creating new capacity and infrastructure challenges. At the same time, ongoing disruptions in key corridors, such as the Red Sea, highlight how exposed global shipping remains to geopolitical flashpoints. Even as routes reopen or stabilize, these remain a structural risk rather than a short-term anomaly, with ripple effects on transit times, capacity availability, and freight rates.

This environment makes long-term planning increasingly difficult, especially for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), raising the cost of both mistakes and delays. Unlike large enterprises, SMBs lack the financial buffers and scale needed to absorb sudden cost increases or operational disruptions. A single delay, miscalculation, or unexpected fee can cascade into missed customer commitments, lost sales, or reputational damage. As a result, the cost of uncertainty has risen sharply, making predictability just as valuable as price.


In response, SMBs, and businesses more generally, are fundamentally changing how they approach freight planning and execution. Visibility, cost transparency, and speed of decision-making are no longer ‘nice to have’ but are operational requirements. Smaller shippers are moving away from reactive logistics models toward partners and platforms that provide real-time milestones, predictable end-to-end pricing, allow businesses to anticipate issues, adjust routes or timelines, and make informed trade-offs between speed, cost, and reliability.


At the same time, logistics providers themselves are evolving. In 2026, freight forwarding will no longer be limited to moving cargo from point A to point B. We see a trend in more providers expanding their offerings to include integrated services such as flexible payment terms, financing options, and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) models. These services help companies manage cash flow, simplify supplier relationships and reduce risk, factors that are especially critical in volatile markets and an increasingly uncertain world.
Technology is a key enabler of this transformation. As platforms, APIs, and data-driven tools become accessible to both large enterprises and SMBs alike, participation in cross-border commerce is no longer the differentiator it once was. Instead, in 2026, competitive advantage will come more from how effectively companies use data to move faster, plan more accurately, and respond in real time to change across an increasingly volatile freight landscape.


Looking ahead, competitiveness in freight will be defined less by scale and more by intelligence and adaptability. Companies that succeed in 2026 will be those that treat logistics as an integrated part of their business strategy, prioritize transparency over guesswork, and partner with providers that can deliver both flexibility and reliability. In an increasingly uncertain world, the ability to move goods predictably and intelligently may prove to be one of the most important advantages a business can have.

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