74% of retail operations leaders say they are waiting to see what Trump Administration does before fully dedicating budgets

Cart.com, a leading unified commerce solutions provider, has issued new survey findings among 351 retail operations leaders detailing investment priorities for 2025. In the survey, 74% of respondents indicated that they are waiting to see what new policies are enacted by the Trump Administration before fully dedicating their budgets.

The survey, commissioned by Cart.com and conducted by an independent market research firm, focused on the topic of budget allocations for 2025. Top findings from the study include increased investments in:

• Customer experience
• AI and machine learning
• Inventory management systems
• Real-time data analytics
• Cybersecurity measures

Despite some disappointments in 2024 investments, retail leaders are recalibrating their budgets to address inefficiencies, shifting funds away from costly last-mile delivery solutions and underperforming inventory management software and redirecting investment to promising areas such as digitalization, warehouse automation, and last-mile delivery.

“The retail industry is transforming even further in 2025, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer demands,” said Ilias Simpson, President of Cart.com. “In addition, the results of the recent election and the new administration’s tariff announcements demand that brands reassess their supply chain among potential regulatory and policy changes, including the looming rule change that will close the 321 de minimis loophole,” added Simpson.

Additional survey findings say automation remains a central focus across retail sectors with a focus on data and visibility alongside strategies for optimizing inventory management, increasing warehouse automation, implementing AI for demand forecasting, expanding same-day delivery options, and strengthening supplier partnerships.

About Cart.com

Cart.com is the leading provider of interconnected omnichannel commerce and logistics solutions that enable B2C and B2B companies as well as public sector agencies to unify order and inventory management from product discovery to product delivery. The company’s enterprise-grade software, services and logistics infrastructure, including its own network of fulfillment and distribution centers, are used by some of the world’s most beloved brands and complex companies to achieve omnichannel excellence and drive more efficient growth.

For more information, please visit Cart.com and LinkedIn.

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