Annual ASCM trend process

The Association for Supply Chain Management convenes a mix of practitioners, consultants and academics each year to surface the most influential forces shaping supply chains. That collective effort produces the organization’s annual Top 10 trends list, meant to reflect realities faced across the field.

Release at ASCM CHAINge conference in Columbus

The Top 10 Supply Chain Trends for 2026 were unveiled at the recent ASCM CHAINge conference held in Columbus, Ohio. The announcement framed the coming year’s priorities and risks for supply chain leaders.

Primary themes emphasized for 2026

ASCM’s list highlights several intersecting drivers that are expected to reshape strategy and operations in the year ahead.

• Technology advances, including growing use of artificial intelligence
• Geopolitical forces and trade measures such as tariffs
• Workforce dynamics and talent challenges
• Sustainability pressures and related regulatory expectations

Contributors behind the ranking

The trends are informed by a cross section of supply chain professionals: people working in operations and logistics, outside consultants advising organizations, and academics researching the field. That mix aims to balance practical experience with analytic perspectives.

Comments from ASCM presenters

Matt Talbert, ASCM’s senior manager of research, stressed that the list is created by supply chain practitioners and peers, and that it is anchored in what professionals see in their daily work. He and Armand Van Oostrom, a senior lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, introduced the session that presented the list to conference attendees.

What the list signals to practitioners

While many items on the Top 10 are familiar year to year, the compilation offers a window into the immediate concerns and operational realities experienced by people on the ground. It helps organizations prioritize where to focus planning and investment.

Where to read the full report

For deeper coverage and the complete Top 10 list, readers can follow the original story and supporting materials. Read the complete article