Uncertain Times, Skittish Consumers, and the Impact on Shipping Costs

Speed has long dominated the conversation in shipping, but today’s reality tells a different story. In a volatile and unpredictable environment, success comes down to smarter decisions, not just faster deliveries.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Tevon Taylor are joined by Lori Boyer, Head of Content Marketing at EasyPost and host of Unboxing Logistics. Together, they break down what’s really driving shipping challenges today, from fragmented consumer demand to rising costs hidden in accessory fees, packaging inefficiencies, and routing decisions rather than just carrier rate increases.

The discussion highlights how demand has become less predictable, with promotion-driven spikes creating operational strain and forcing reactive, costly decisions. At the same time, customer expectations have shifted. Cost, reliability, visibility, and accuracy now matter more than speed, pushing companies to rethink how they design their shipping strategies.

Lori also shares how leading teams are responding by improving visibility, aligning service levels with customer needs, and using AI to support faster, data-driven decisions. This episode offers a practical look at how organizations can reduce costs, adapt to uncertainty, and build more resilient and efficient shipping operations.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(07:08) State of consumer demand

(10:07) Rising costs and volatility

(16:02) Do customers really value speed?

(21:34) The role of artificial intelligence in the supply chain

(25:16) Utilizing correct data before solving other problems

(27:51) Aligning service level with customer expectations

(32:25) About EasyPost

(34:21) About unboxing logistics

(36:01) Where sustainability comes in

(39:09) LLMs and shipping: What teams are already doing, with or without permission

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Lori Boyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/
• Learn more about EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/
• Learn more about Tevon Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevontaylor/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
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This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/uncertain-times-skittish-customers-impact-shipping-costs-1574

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