What happens when your Halloween masks arrive at Christmas? It’s not just a post-pandemic punchline, it’s a snapshot of today’s volatile supply chain environment. On the debut episode of the new Prologis podcast “Moving the World,” managing director of Global Strategy and Analytics Chris Caton sits down with Harshida Acharya, partner and chief strategy officer at Fulfillment IQ, to decode how companies are bracing for disruption and where the most resilient are investing now.
Here are five powerful takeaways from their conversation:
1. Panic or Pivot? The Trade Shock Split
Tariff turbulence has companies either accelerating onshoring or freezing strategic planning altogether. “What I do think we will see is a lot less choices, based on some of the folks and customers that we've spoken to. A lot of them are just holding on to their inventory at ports,” said Acharya. Caton noted a clear divide post-April 2, when China’s manufacturing slowdowns sent shockwaves through fulfillment timelines. Both agree: clarity may not come soon, especially with the USMCA agreement up for renewal.
2. AI Goes to Work: From Buzzword to Warehouse Workhorse
AI is delivering on its promise—especially in logistics. Acharya emphasized AI’s real-world utility, from predicting inventory needs to optimizing pick paths inside warehouses.
I think we will see, along with automations, a huge investment in AI technologies and the ability to use AI for prediction with inventories
3. No Robots? No Problem—Until Speed Becomes Survival
While automation is expanding, it’s far from universal. Most warehouses still rely on paper processes. For time-sensitive operations like e-commerce, however, the pressure to automate is mounting. Expect targeted adoption of tools like autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) where speed and labor ROI are paramount.
4. Green is the New Gold
Sustainability isn’t a nice-to-have anymore—it’s a strategic advantage. From rooftop solar to LED retrofits, Prologis is co-innovating with customers on scalable green infrastructure. “Our customers want more sustainable solutions,” said Caton. “And we're both improving operations as well as the construction of the facilities to innovate alongside our customers.”
5. Why Smart Logistics Leaders Splurge on Space
Despite making up just 5% of costs, real estate holds outsized influence on supply chains. Acharya pointed to companies that fixate on controlling facility cost, missing the big picture. “We’ve seen demand be positive this year,” Caton added, “and a lot of that has to do with that upgrade cycle in modernizing the supply chain.”
As volatility stretches into 2026 and beyond, the message is clear: The winners will be those who build resilience not just into operations—but into every square foot, every system and every decision.
For the full episode, please listen and subscribe on Spotify.
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