Nearly half (44%) of companies surveyed for a report can't find the specialized talent needed to implement AI technologies. And even though 60% are prioritizing AI and automation investments, they also struggle with budget constraints that limit their ability to scale AI initiatives (43%) as well as poor data quality (39%). 

The State of Supply Chain 2025: Balancing Inflation, Investment & Innovation report from Relex Solutions, which provides an online supply chain and retail planning platform, shows that companies are aggressively investing in AI across supply chains to counter inflation and trade volatility, but a growing execution gap threatens to derail these efforts.

The study surveyed more than 500 retail, CPG manufacturing, and wholesale professionals across seven countries.

Among other findings, the survey showed that inflation is reshaping retail strategies, with 31% of retailers optimizing operations, and 31% adjusting pricing to stay competitive. Private label expansion has meanwhile become mainstream, with 59% of retailers growing own-brand portfolios as consumers seek value.

"Today's supply chain leaders face a dual challenge – they must innovate through technology while adapting to economic pressures," said Dr. Madhav Durbha, group vice president of manufacturing industry strategy at Relex. "The gap between AI's potential and its practical implementation represents both the greatest risk and opportunity in supply chain transformation today."