In a new SupplyChainBrain Think Tank column, ePost Global’s Global Account Manager, Barbara Rausch, breaks down why retailers need to rethink how they use expedited shipping during an increasingly unpredictable peak season marked by tariff volatility, customs slowdowns, and shifting global networks.

“Speed can’t buy stability – and it often adds cost without delivering proportional results.”

Rausch notes that the smarter approach is evaluating when fast delivery truly protects the customer experience, and when it simply erodes already-tight margins.

She also highlighted how carrier diversification fundamentally reshapes the equation. Drawing on ePost Global’s multi-carrier performance data, Rausch explained that spreading volume across multiple carriers delivers faster, more reliable results without paying for premium services:

“A diversified network lets retailers route smarter, not spend harder – flexibility is what protects margins in a volatile trade environment.”

Rausch highlights that planning remains the biggest advantage this season, with top brands moving sales earlier, staging inventory closer to customers, and partnering with logistics providers who understand emerging customs bottlenecks.