Disruptions in the food distribution industry that started before the pandemic only intensified during the crisis—and they’re not going away. That’s because more shippers are testing direct-to-consumer delivery, and retailers are adding distribution hubs closer to consumers. And, with the rise of those regional hubs, demand for short-haul drivers has grown, worsening what is already a critical shortage of long-haul drivers.

These factors have driven up transportation costs, which trucking companies have passed along to manufacturers. But there’s a limit to how much they can charge. To meet the new demands, shippers need a view of the landscape and all the intersecting trends at play. With the right analytics, this is possible. In this playbook, we explore how to navigate these trends in food distribution, including:

• Ever-shifting consumer demand for restaurant and grocery purchases
• The growing role of the direct-to-consumer model
• The rise of suburban distribution

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