Welsh freight forwarder Delsol International is urging UK retailers to prepare for international shipping disruption, trade tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty as Black Friday and Christmas approach.
Delsol International said businesses sourcing goods overseas were facing increasing complexity, with trade tariffs, rules of origin requirements and volatile shipping routes adding pressure to international logistics operations.
The warning comes as retailers prepare for the 2026 peak season and begin planning their supply chains for 2027.
Office for National Statistics data shows that 48% of businesses are concerned about at least one factor affecting their supply chains over the next 12 months. International conflict was identified as a concern by 32%, while 21% cited shipping disruption.
Dylan Walker, Delsol International business development manager, said independent UK businesses were finding the current supply chain environment increasingly difficult to navigate.
He said retailers should consider diversifying their international sourcing arrangements rather than relying on a single country, reducing their exposure to geopolitical developments and shipping route diversions.
However, sourcing from multiple countries also brings additional logistical complexity, the company is warning, requiring businesses to manage different international supply chains and work with freight forwarders able to respond to changing requirements.
Walker said: “Many organisations are still underprepared for the challenge of getting goods across borders and to their destinations.
“Businesses which primarily manage these challenges on a reactive basis are putting themselves at risk. For businesses who want to source internationally and thrive, a proactive approach is now vital in the current geopolitical context, where instability and uncertainty are daily realities.”
Delsol International will be exhibiting at the White & Private Label Expo at ExCeL London on 11 and 12 November, where it will advise delegates on managing international sourcing and logistics challenges.
Walker said the company understood the pressures facing independent businesses, particularly as tighter margins and disruption to international trade flows made supply chain planning increasingly important.
Delsol International became a separate business in 2024, having previously been part of Delivery Solutions (Delsol), in response to growing demand for international logistics services.
The company provides freight forwarding services to businesses sourcing goods internationally.
