Supply Chain Risks Forced Pricing and Stockpile Shifts
Managers are raising prices and building inventory to counteract reactive supply chain management strategies.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Business Strategy
Live Poll
Do you trust that businesses are taking enough action to prevent supply chain disruptions?
A BSI report found that 54% of organizations manage supply chain risks reactively, often lacking the formal processes needed to navigate recent disruptions. Consequently, many firms are now shifting operational strategies to prepare for ongoing volatility.
Why it matters
Poor visibility and a lack of documented crisis plans leave many businesses vulnerable to climate and cyber-related shocks. These operational gaps force firms to adopt costly defensive measures like increased inventory stockpiles.
A survey of 1,400 managers reveals that 40% of organizations faced climate-related disruptions and 38% dealt with cyber incidents in the past year. To mitigate these threats, 80% plan to increase strategic inventory stockpiles, while 36% intend to raise prices over the next six months.
The players
BSI
A global standards and business improvement company that provides certification and audit services to organizations.
The details
Organizations are increasingly shifting toward nearshore operations and altering transport modes to build endurance against systemic shocks. Despite 81% of firms expecting improved preparedness within 12 months, only 27% currently possess the ability to act on the same day during a disruption. Internal silos continue to hinder effective communication, leaving nearly half of companies without the data necessary for rapid decision-making.
Timeline
40% of organizations experienced climate-related supply chain disruptions over the past 12 months.
37% of organizations failed to follow crisis plans during recent conflict.
36% of organizations plan to increase prices over the next 6 months.
81% of organizations expect to be better prepared for disruption over the next 12 months.
Market Landscape
The current pivot toward nearshoring and higher inventory levels follows patterns identified in the BSI supply chain resilience report. This strategic shift marks a departure from the lean, just-in-time models that dominated pre-pandemic supply chain management.
Operators should audit their supply chain visibility and assess whether current inventory levels can sustain a prolonged disruption. Given that 36% of peers are raising prices, evaluate your own pricing strategy relative to supply chain costs before the next fiscal quarter.
The takeaway
The move from reactive to proactive risk management requires internal cross-functional communication and better data visibility. Track your organization's 'time-to-act' metric to determine if you are among the 27% capable of responding to disruptions on the same day.
Further reading
For more on evolving operational approaches, read our Business Strategy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Retail Times.
Live Poll
Do you trust that businesses are taking enough action to prevent supply chain disruptions?
