DELIVER America 2025, which took place October 29th and 30th in Las Vegas, brought together over 700 attendees, 350 global retailers, 70 supply chain partners, and 50 speakers for two packed days of networking and conversation.
From early-stage DTC brands to global household names, attendees arrived with pointed questions and shared challenges, all looking for guidance on how to operate more efficiently, stay compliant, and protect margins in a changing market.
“DELIVER was a pulse check on retail’s next chapter. The questions were sharper, the stakes were higher, and the appetite for change was unmistakable,” said Alex Court, Director of Fulfillment Sales at Kase | WSI.
The tone at DELIVER: Concern meets cautious optimism
There was an undeniable edge to the conversations this year. With tariffs, rising parcel costs, and shifting compliance standards, many brands are uneasy about what’s next. But beneath that tension lay a different energy — one of action.
Unlike a few months ago, when many teams were still reacting to market changes, DELIVER attendees were proactive, armed with questions and enthusiasm. They wanted to talk specifics, such as where to locate their inventory, how to strengthen systems, and which partners could help them move faster.
“There was a clear shift from reaction to readiness. Every conversation was rooted in action: how to position inventory smarter, strengthen their tech stack, and move faster,” said Scott Van Zeeland, Sales Manager at Kase | WSI. “It’s a sign that brands are done waiting for stability, they’re building it themselves.”
Key takeaways from DELIVER America 2025
Across two days of panels, meetups, and booth conversations, four key themes stood out: EDI integration, retail compliance, reshoring to the U.S., and final-mile delivery.
Together, it painted a clear picture of what brands are prioritizing, and what still stands in the way.
EDI: Modern connectivity is still a hurdle
Even in 2025, many brands continue to struggle with technology gaps. Smaller 3PLs often lack the ability to set up API or EDI connections that sync with enterprise systems, leaving brands managing orders through manual uploads and outdated workflows.
For retailers running ERP platforms and complex fulfillment networks, that disconnect slows everything from order accuracy to inventory visibility.
“We still meet brands whose growth is being held back by manual processes and disconnected systems,” said Court. “The truth is, you can’t scale modern retail on spreadsheets. Streamlined integrations are the foundation of accuracy, speed, and visibility.”
As automation becomes non-negotiable, tech-enabled partners like Kase and WSI are helping brands bridge that gap, making sure fulfillment technology keeps pace with retail ambition. In modern retail, EDI integration is critical for efficiency, cost savings, accuracy, security, and crucial supply chain visibility.
Retail compliance: The challenge of scaling with giants
Compliance conversations were everywhere, especially around Walmart, Target, and Amazon. According to several conversations, many smaller brands have been managing retail fulfillment internally. But as sales grow, those lean teams encounter increased compliance risks and inefficiency.
Scaling in retail requires more than capacity. From FBA prep to routing guide management, the smallest errors can trigger penalties or delays that cut into already-tight margins. Brands must make sure every label, pallet, and ASN is perfect. For many brands in attendance, 3PLs are the solution. Fulfillment partners help businesses win at compliance by:
- Automating labeling and documentation, ensuring ASNs, pallet labels, and packing slips match each retailer’s specific requirements.
- Managing routing guides, keeping shipping processes aligned with constantly changing retailer guidelines and carrier preferences.
- Prepping for retail and FBA, handling cartonization, pallet configuration, and packaging to meet standards for Walmart, Target, Amazon, and others.
- Reducing chargebacks, minimizing costly errors by catching compliance issues (like incorrect labeling or late delivery) before they happen.
- Providing visibility and reporting, using integrated systems to track order status, proof of delivery, and compliance metrics across channels.
Moving retail operations to the US: Balancing risk and opportunity
DELIVER’s European roots made it a prime forum for global brands looking to expand into the US or re-evaluate plans already in motion. Many shared the same tension around the pain of tariffs and shifting trade rules.
Repeated tariff hits and retaliatory export fees have caused hesitation, but the benefits of bringing operations closer to customers are hard to ignore. Brands that can navigate the cost curve (through smart network design and multi-node fulfillment) stand to gain faster delivery and greater supply chain control.
“When brands design their networks intentionally with multiple fulfillment nodes and visibility across each, they cut transit times and protect their business from volatility,” said Van Zeeland. “The WSI and Kase network, spanning more than 14 million square feet across the US, gives retailers the reach and flexibility to stay close to their customers.”
Even with uncertainty, the momentum toward expanding operations into the US, reshoring, and nearshoring continues, supported by partners who understand both the US logistics and the global complexities behind it.
Final mile: Where the customer experience is won (or lost)
The last leg of delivery came up in presentations and conversations. For instance, furniture brands wanted to discuss the final mile and things like how to handle white-glove service. The question of transportation, insurance coverage, and co-brokerage partnerships to facilitate beyond-the-threshold delivery came up in talks.
In addition, with parcel costs still climbing, many brands are exploring multi-node networks to optimize coverage and shorten delivery windows. However, there are still brands that want to be close to their inventory, affecting costs when customers are farther away. But alternative fulfillment methods offer an alternative. As an example, micro-fulfillment models are gaining traction as a middle ground, bringing inventory closer to customers while maintaining centralized oversight.
From fear to focus: DELIVER’s underlying message
If there was one main takeaway from DELIVER 2025, it was that brands are ready to move forward, even if the road ahead feels uncertain.
The tone was less fear of disruption and more focus on preparation and building resilience. Experienced teams know how to navigate volatility, while mid-tier brands are eager to learn and tailor their operations to meet new market realities.
Across every conversation, it was clear that partnership matters more than ever.
Helping retailers move from complexity to clarity
As retail continues to evolve, the Kase and WSI sales team approaches every brand relationship with the same philosophy. To be consultative, transparent, and help every brand build long-term resilience.
From EDI integration and retail compliance to reshoring strategy and final-mile optimization, Kase is helping brands make smarter decisions backed by data, experience, and nationwide fulfillment expertise.
DELIVER 2025 highlighted that retail success isn’t about avoiding challenges but about having the right partners to face them head-on. Reach out to the experts at Kase for guidance on navigating today’s retail demands.
