ITS Logistics launches hybrid retail hubs to counter supply chain pressures

ITS Logistics has unveiled a network of Retail Logistics Hubs designed to give retailers faster, more resilient delivery options amid ongoing supply chain volatility. The hubs, supported by a hybrid network of ITS-owned assets, drop-trailer pools and carefully vetted third-party carriers, aim to deliver both speed and control at a time when global trade is facing fresh headwinds.

By positioning inventory closer to consumers, ITS expects to cut transit times and mitigate tariff-related shocks. The company says the hub network provides two-day delivery reach to nearly 95% of the US population. Suppliers can route goods into hubs via ports, rail ramps or upstream distribution centres, before shipping out to stores or consumers through parcel, regional consolidation or direct store delivery.

The move reflects a broader industry shift as logistics providers pivot from rigid, asset-heavy operations toward modular, flexible models. These hybrid networks allow companies to scale capacity up or down in response to inflationary pressure, tariff changes or demand spikes, while maintaining operational oversight. ITS differentiates itself by retaining what it calls “deep operational control and accountability” even as it leverages a wider pool of carriers.

Such flexibility is increasingly critical for omnichannel retail, where last-mile performance can make or break customer satisfaction. The model also pressures carriers to participate in more open networks and raises the competitive bar on vetting standards, reliability and fraud prevention.

For retailers, this approach reduces the need for heavy inventory buffers, enabling leaner, more responsive supply chains. But it also demands greater investment in visibility, data integration and predictive analytics to synchronise assets and partners.

Access the full article to explore how ITS’s hub strategy could reshape competition in the logistics sector.