Gartner Research

Become a Shipper of Choice to Create Strategic Logistics Partnerships

Published: 16 May 2023

Summary

Organizations’ logistics performance suffers when they are not strategic or intentional about their carrier relationships. Logistics leaders must strategically align with carriers and implement the programs, segmentation strategies and digital investments required to become a shipper of choice.

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Overview

Key Findings
  • Shippers are misinformed or unsure of what it means to be a “shipper of choice.” Ultimately, this can lead to inefficiencies, cost overruns and service erosion over time.

  • Strategic partnerships are rarely used as a driving force when creating shipper of choice initiatives, leading shippers to regrettably apply the same resources and methods for all carrier relationships.

  • Shippers often fail to consider technology to improve business outcomes when forming their strategic shipper of choice initiatives. Leaving carriers to make unilateral technology investments without strategic guidance deters long-term partnerships and diminishes relationships.

Recommendations

Logistics leaders responsible for managing the performance

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Analysts:

Brian Day Carly West

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