Top 5 Trends for 2025: Embracing collaboration and digitalization across the global supply chain

In the evolving landscape of global commerce where supply chains have become more complex, combined with heightened expectations from businesses and consumers alike, there is an evident need for connectedness. 

According to Loftware’s annual ‘Top 5 Trends in Labeling & Packaging Artwork’ report, 90% of businesses surveyed believe there is an increased need for connection and collaboration across the global supply chain. The rise in digitalization over recent years has led to companies looking for new ways to create agile and resilient frameworks that streamline access to trading partners, including suppliers, customers, and internal facility locations. This isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about transforming the way organizations approach authenticity, compliance, and traceability in supply chain operations.  

Read on for key insights from the report and explore why collaboration is paramount in today's business environment.  

Navigating upstream supply chain obstacles 

It’s no surprise that there is a costly impact of labeling errors in upstream supply chains. Inaccurate or inconsistent labeling can cause delays, mismanagement of inventory, and chaos in factories and warehouses. According to industry estimates, these errors can lead to mislabeling costs that can reach millions of dollars, disrupt inventory flows, and slow down the entire supply chain. However, by utilizing a collaborative network that enforces product identification standards, companies can mitigate these risks. Leveraging such an ecosystem allows suppliers to easily access these product identification standards, reducing IT burdens and improving adherence to regulations, ultimately optimizing inventory management and the efficiency of receiving goods. 

Collaborative approaches to meet downstream requirements 

In addition to addressing upstream challenges, collaboration in the supply chain also plays a crucial role in managing downstream requirements. Today’s customers demand specific and complex labeling requirements - including diverse formats, barcodes, and data attributes. Vendors who fall short of meeting these requirements risk hefty fines and a loss in business. As such, the Loftware 2025 trends report reveals that 84% of companies surveyed feel they would benefit from joining an ecosystem where supply chain partners can share access, data, and standards to optimize performance. By harnessing a cloud-enabled collaborative network, companies can respond swiftly to customer-specific labeling requirements, avoiding fines and speeding up time-to-market. 

Supporting global expansion and operational resilience 

As businesses expand globally, the importance of standardized labeling becomes even more apparent. In fact, 58% of organizations surveyed stated that being part of a collaborative supply chain network would offer real-time visibility and improved efficiencies. Companies that operate across multiple regions often struggle with diverse and manual labeling solutions, leading to inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and higher operational costs. With a scalable cloud solution that has a publish and subscribe model, organizations can ensure consistency globally by minimizing disruptions and facilitating seamless updates and changes across the entire organization. 

Connection is the future of supply chains 

In conclusion, the need for connectedness in global supply chains has never been more urgent. As companies face the challenges of modern commerce, adopting a collaborative network and digital solutions will be key to achieving higher efficiency, compliance, and scalability. Embracing this approach fosters interconnectedness, reduces costs and errors, and supports business growth and continuity in a rapidly evolving market. 

For more insights into the trends we have identified for 2025, download our report for free. Additionally, you can register for our 2025 Top 5 Trends webinar, taking place at 10am ET/10am CET/11am SGT on January 16, 2025!