The Retail World Never Sleeps

Retail is no longer seasonal — it’s always on.

“We’re all operating in retail today in a 24/7 environment,” says Tony Zasimovich. “It’s an always-on economy.”

As Global Vertical Lead for Retail at DP World, Zasimovich oversees a network driving 10% of global containerized trade across 79 countries. His message at DELIVER America: success in 2025 and beyond depends on agility, technology, and partnership.

A $50 Trillion Opportunity

The retail landscape is expanding fast.
According to IHS Global Insights, global retail will hit $49–50 trillion by 2030 — nearly doubling from $26 trillion in 2019.

“The consumer continues to consume,” Zasimovich notes. “They might buy differently, but they’re still buying.”

The growth is powered by:

• Mobile commerce: Now over 50% of online transactions

• New fulfillment models: Click & Collect, same-day delivery, BOPIS

• E-commerce: Driving a 20% compound annual growth rate among major retailers through 2030

The takeaway: digital acceleration is the biggest driver of retail expansion — and logistics must keep pace.

From Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case

This year, Zasimovich observed a striking shift in retailer behavior:

“Distribution centers were full by midsummer. Inventory came in early.”

Retailers, anticipating tariffs and Red Sea disruptions, frontloaded inventory — a defensive move reflecting the new just-in-case mindset.

Key insights:

• Ports of LA and Long Beach hit record volumes in July 2025

• Retailers shifted to preemptive stocking to avoid tariff risk

• Holiday goods landed months earlier than usual

• Freight data shows early peaks and muted second-half volumes

The lesson? Peak season is no longer predictable. Agility now matters more than timing.

Flexibility as a Competitive Advantage

“Flexibility isn’t just key — it’s a necessity,” says Zasimovich.

DP World recently surveyed leading retail executives:

• 83% said flexibility and responsiveness were their top priorities

• Retailers want partners who can pivot instantly when disruption hits

• Strategic operators must deliver scalable, resilient, and global solutions

Zasimovich shared several examples:

• A U.S. specialty retailer facing a 50% tariff increase in India requested an urgent mode shift. DP World airlifted product — landing hours before the tariff took effect.

• A multinational shifted 30% of its sourcing out of Asia to the U.S., Turkey, and Portugal, cutting two weeks of lead time and salvaging €5 million in sales.

“When business is on fire, your logistics partner should be in it with you,” he says.

Control Towers and Orchestration

Visibility used to be the goal. Now, it’s the baseline.

Zasimovich describes a new evolution: from control towers to orchestration — systems that not only show supply chain status but also act on it.

These systems combine real-time data, AI, and automation to forecast, reroute, and optimize dynamically.

Accenture’s research shows companies using control towers achieve:

• +1% revenue impact

• 3–5% transportation savings

• 10–20% labor efficiency gains

Capgemini adds that control tower adopters cut product shortages by up to 20%.

“Visibility is table stakes. The new frontier is responsiveness.”

AI, Automation, and the New Logistics Standard

DP World and its partners are embedding AI throughout the supply chain — from predictive routing to robotics in fulfillment.

“AI is no longer theory — it’s impact,” says Zasimovich.

Examples include:

• Amazon: 30% lower fulfillment cost after deploying next-gen robotics

• Varity (Switzerland): Drones scanning warehouses with 99.9% inventory accuracy

• DP World: Forklift-mounted AI cameras optimizing warehouse movement

Automation isn’t just about efficiency — it’s brand differentiation.

Marks & Spencer’s £340M automated food logistics investment and Zara’s €900M network expansion prove that fulfillment is now part of brand strategy.

Adapting in an Age of Constant Change

Zasimovich closes with a clear message:

“The winners in this environment aren’t the fastest or the cheapest — they’re the most adaptive.”

Retail’s future will be defined by:

• Flexible, global networks

• Smart orchestration powered by AI

• Human partnerships built on trust and agility

“Those who treat logistics as an engine of resilience will define the next decade of retail.”

Key Takeaways

• Retail is operating in an always-on 24/7 economy

• Agility and responsiveness are replacing cost as top priorities

• Control towers and AI orchestration drive faster, smarter decisions

• Early inventory and flexible sourcing are now strategic necessities

• Adaptive companies — not just efficient ones — will lead 2030 retail