Key logistics trends driving Carousel’s European network forward

These demands are shaping how our European network continues to evolve. Three logistics trends in particular are influencing 2026. 

The trends evolving logistics in 2026

Customs Brokerage Becomes a Core Capability

Border complexity has become a permanent feature of European logistics. Post-Brexit trade, shifting compliance requirements and global uncertainty mean customs clearance is no longer a background task; it’s a critical point of risk and opportunity.

We’ve responded by strengthening our in-house customs brokerage function, bringing clearance expertise closer to operations and customer workflows. In October 2025, Dieter Schneider was appointed Customs and Brokerage Director to lead the continued expansion of brokerage capabilities, including the integration of AI-enabled tools alongside existing systems to improve accuracy, compliance and processing efficiency.

This approach reflects a broader industry shift. Logistics providers can no longer rely on third parties to manage clearance in isolation. By handling customs internally, supported by Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status and enhanced digital platforms, we can reduce delays, limit paperwork friction, and maintain momentum across UK–EU borders.

For time-critical shipments, particularly those supporting manufacturing, automotive, and field service operations, reliable customs brokerage is not optional. It underpins service consistency and enables predictable, Europe-wide distribution.

PUDO Networks Supporting Regional and Field Service Logistics

Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) networks are playing an increasingly important role in field service and spare parts distribution. Our network now includes more than 100 staffed PUDO locations across the UK and Ireland, giving engineers and mobile teams practical alternatives to fixed delivery addresses.

Unlike unattended locker solutions, staffed PUDO sites can accommodate larger, higher-value or more complex consignments. Early-morning deliveries ensure space parts arrive before 08:00am, allowing engineers to start work with parts already available rather than waiting on the road for couriers.

This reflects a move toward more regionalised distribution models. By positioning inventory closer to where it’s needed and offering multiple collection and return points, businesses reduce reliance on one-off door-to-door deliveries. The result is improved route efficiency, better SLA performance and greater flexibility for service teams operating across wide geographies.

PUDO points are becoming a core component of European field logistics, integrated into wider supply chain ecosystems that support engineers, dealers, and end customers and we plan to extend this network in 2026 and beyond to cover even more key areas in the UK and Europe.

Final-Mile Delivery Built Around Choice

The final mile is no longer a single delivery event. It is a set of options designed to suit different operational realities, customer expectations, and cost profiles.

Our final-mile services span in-night, next-day, fast and flexible and on demand delivery, alongside options such as delivery to site, boots, lockers, PUDO, hospital rooms and operating theatres. This breadth reflects a clear industry trend: flexibility now matters as much as speed.

For field service operations, predictability and engineer-ready delivery are often more valuable than absolute transit time. By offering tailored delivery options, we help customers balance urgency, convenience and cost without compromising service outcomes.

Digital visibility also plays a key role. With platforms such as Gateway® providing real-time tracking and status updates, the final mile becomes transparent and data-driven, supporting better decision-making rather than simply confirming delivery after the fact.

Progressing logistics performance in 2026

Logistics performance in 2026 will be defined by how well providers connect regulatory expertise, regional infrastructure, and final-mile flexibility into a single, coherent network.

For us, that means treating customs brokerage as a service enabler rather than an obstacle, expanding PUDO networks to support field-based distribution, and offering a range of delivery options designed around real operational needs, all supported by technology and hands-on logistics experience.

To find out more about how we can help you move forward in 2026, please get in touch with our expert team of logistics specialists.