The 5 biggest challenges facing supply chain managers in 2025

Barcelona, December 12, 2024

According to Supply Chain 24/7 magazine, a survey of 1,000 U.S. supply chain managers reveals significant data gaps hindering their ability to achieve real-time inventory accuracy and visibility. While 91% of managers believe they are equipped for accurate supply chain insights, only 33% report consistently obtaining real-time, accurate data. These blind spots create challenges in tackling counterfeiting, shrink, delivery errors, and sustainability goals.

The findings come from Impinj’s Supply Chain Integrity Outlook 2025 report, highlighting how data accuracy issues obstruct efforts to improve efficiency and implement technologies like AI.

“Supply chain managers continue to face data blind spots that prevent them from ensuring secure, reliable, and adaptable supply chains,” said Jeff Dossett, Chief Revenue Officer at Impinj. “It’s essential that organizations address the data accuracy gap by putting technology in place to surface accurate data that fuels the real-time, actionable insights and visibility needed to ensure supply chain resilience.”

The report identifies key challenges for supply chain managers:

Sustainability: Managers focus on reducing waste, improving last-mile efficiency, and meeting stricter environmental standards.

Counterfeit Goods: 65% of retail managers struggle to reduce counterfeit items, with 98% implementing authentication technologies or additional checkpoints.

Shrink and Theft: 60% of retail managers and 82% of food sector managers cite shrink as a critical issue caused by shoplifting, spoilage, and waste.

Misloads and Delivery Errors: 74% of logistics firms report growing concerns over delivery misloads and last-mile inaccuracies.

AI Implementation: Data inaccuracy is the biggest barrier to effective AI adoption, and availability and real-time access are also challenges.