Ecommerce and AI logistics trends: what leaders must act on now

The phrase ecommerce and AI logistics trends captures how delivery costs, new consumer media habits, and AI-driven tools are reshaping commerce. In 2025, companies face rising last-mile costs and shifting customer attention. Therefore, leaders must rethink operations, marketing, and tech investment. This post links recent signals from shipping, retail, food distribution, and marketing to create a concise action roadmap. Additionally, each section shows the immediate business impact and likely next steps.

## Rising last-mile costs and the economics of delivery (ecommerce and AI logistics trends)

Last-mile delivery is becoming a dominant cost center. A.P. Moller–Maersk warned that last-mile now accounts for as much as 40% of total logistics spend in North America. This is not a distant problem. It hits margins today. Therefore, businesses that sell online must re-evaluate both pricing and delivery strategy. Options include using micro-fulfillment, negotiating parcel contracts, or adding delivery fees for speed. However, customer expectations for fast and free shipping remain high. That tension will drive new pricing experiments and hybrid services.

From an operations view, rising last-mile spend forces closer coordination between merchandising and logistics. Retailers should prioritize product assortments that fit profitable delivery models. Additionally, investing in route optimization and local inventory caches can cut costs. Firms may also partner with third-party logistics providers to scale variable demand at peak seasons. The impact is immediate: margins compress unless delivery becomes more efficient or customers accept different trade-offs. Looking ahead, companies that combine smarter inventory placement with targeted delivery pricing will protect margins and keep service levels.

Source: Digital Commerce 360

Attention shifts and media strategy: social video’s role in commerce (ecommerce and AI logistics trends)

Consumer attention is changing. Deloitte data shows 35% of consumers now spend more time watching social media videos than streaming content. That matters for customer acquisition. Therefore, brands should rethink media mix and measurement. Traditional streaming and linear TV still matter for reach. However, social video is increasingly where discovery and impulse buying happen. As a result, acquisition dollars may need to move toward short-form, shoppable video formats.

For marketers, this means updating creative and measurement frameworks. Short videos require clear hooks and quick product context. Additionally, social platforms often measure engagement differently than streaming services. Brands should test rapid creative iterations, then scale what works. Attribution will remain messy. However, integrating first-party data and experiment-driven measurement gives clearer ROI. The business impact: shifts in media spend can lower customer acquisition cost when creative and landing experience are aligned.

Finally, this trend interacts with logistics. Faster discovery can mean spikes in demand that strain fulfillment. Therefore, closer coordination between marketing and operations is essential. Marketing teams should signal expected campaign volumes to supply chain counterparts. This prevents stockouts and high-cost fulfillment responses during viral moments.

Source: Marketing Dive

Agentic AI in retail: Liverpool’s experiment and what it teaches (ecommerce and AI logistics trends)

Liverpool, Mexico’s largest department store chain, is using agentic AI in its shopping experience. The retailer, with a 178-year history and 124 stores, is experimenting with AI agents that can help shoppers navigate products, offers, and checkout. This is a significant shift. Therefore, agentic AI is moving from pilot to everyday retail use. The promise is clear: better conversion and personalized service at scale.

For enterprise leaders, Liverpool’s move shows practical learning points. First, agents must integrate with inventory and fulfillment systems. Otherwise, recommendations risk promoting out-of-stock items and creating bad customer experiences. Second, governance matters. Agentic systems need guardrails for pricing, returns, and promotions. Third, human oversight remains important. Customers still want clarity when AI makes decisions. Clear handoffs and escalation paths preserve trust.

In terms of operations, agentic AI can reduce staff load and speed service. However, it can also change fulfillment patterns if agents promote different SKUs. Therefore, retail leaders should align merchandising, fulfillment, and AI strategy from day one. The immediate impact will be measured in conversion lift and service efficiency. Looking forward, agentic agents that tightly link to logistics and returns will create a smoother path from discovery to delivery.

Source: Digital Commerce 360

Automation and AI in distribution: lessons from US Foods

US Foods’ fiscal Q3 results highlight measurable gains from AI and automation. The company reported digital tools that help customers find products faster, improve order accuracy, and streamline truck routes. Sales rose 4.8% year over year in the period noted. These are concrete outcomes. Therefore, AI and automation are not just buzzwords; they are levers for operational improvement in distribution.

For distributors and wholesalers, the key takeaway is focus. Start with customer-facing automation that reduces friction in ordering. Next, optimize logistics—route planning and better order batching reduce fuel and labor costs. Additionally, improving order accuracy cuts returns and waste. Each improvement has a direct impact on margins. Importantly, US Foods demonstrates that even in softer end-markets, digital tools can deliver growth.

Enterprise leaders should sequence investments. Begin with high-impact, low-complexity automation—search and recommendation, then routing, then warehouse automation. Measure processes and iterate. Also, align teams around clear operating metrics like fill rate, delivery time, and cost per stop. Over time, these operational gains create competitive advantage through lower costs and better service.

Source: Digital Commerce 360

Rapid, human-centered AI creativity: the Corona Cero case

AB InBev built an Olympic campaign for Corona Cero in three weeks using AI-powered language analysis and psychological theory. The team mixed algorithmic insight with human creativity to find a resonant message quickly. This case shows how AI can accelerate marketing while keeping human judgment central. Therefore, rapid campaigns that combine AI analysis and human strategy can deliver timely, culturally smart work.

For marketers, the playbook is practical. Use AI to surface clusters of language and sentiment. Then, apply human insight and psychological frameworks to choose the final creative approach. This reduces time-to-market while keeping messaging authentic. Additionally, short cycles allow testing and adjustment in-market.

The business impact is speed plus relevance. Brands that can move quickly and thoughtfully will win moments—especially around major events like the Olympics. However, coordination with supply and fulfillment is essential to handle demand spikes. Therefore, marketing agility must be paired with operational readiness to convert interest into sales.

Source: Marketing Dive

Final Reflection: Putting the pieces together

Across shipping, media, retail, distribution, and marketing, a clear picture emerges: ecommerce and AI logistics trends are no longer separate experiments. They are linked forces shaping the full commerce funnel. Rising last-mile costs demand smarter logistics and pricing. Social video changes how customers discover products. Agentic AI can personalize shopping but must connect to inventory and fulfillment. Automation in distribution delivers measurable efficiency. AI-enabled creativity speeds campaigns that must be backed by operations.

Leaders should act on three priorities. First, connect demand signals—marketing, AI agents, and sales—with supply systems—inventory, routing, and returns. Second, prioritize investments with measurable operational ROI. Third, keep humans in the loop for governance and creative judgment. Therefore, companies that integrate marketing, AI, and logistics will protect margins and create better customer experiences. The future favors organizations that make these systems talk to each other quickly and clearly.