Survey on global supply chains in 2025

We are seeking the views of business professionals on the evolving dynamics, challenges and opportunities caused by disruptions in global supply chains. The survey will take just a few minutes to complete.

Participation in this survey is confidential and does not require you to share your name or the name of the organization for which you work. We will report results in the aggregate in the next few months.

1. Which industry does your business primarily operate in?

2. Which region is your work primarily located in? (multiple selections allowed)

3. Please rank your top 5 challenges in 2024 in order.

	Biggest challenge	Second biggest challenge	Third biggest challenge	Fourth biggest challenge	Fifth biggest challenge	N/A (not among the top 5)
Access to technology	Access to technology Biggest challenge	Access to technology Second biggest challenge	Access to technology Third biggest challenge	Access to technology Fourth biggest challenge	Access to technology Fifth biggest challenge	Access to technology N/A (not among the top 5)
Cashflow concerns	Cashflow concerns Biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Second biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Third biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Fourth biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Fifth biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns N/A (not among the top 5)
Changing levels of demand or service	Changing levels of demand or service Biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Second biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Third biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Fourth biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Fifth biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service N/A (not among the top 5)
Cost of living crisis / inflation	Cost of living crisis / inflation Biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Second biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Third biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Fourth biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Fifth biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation N/A (not among the top 5)
Cost of new technology	Cost of new technology Biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Second biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Third biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Fourth biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Fifth biggest challenge	Cost of new technology N/A (not among the top 5)
Customer - bad debts	Customer - bad debts Biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Second biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Third biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Fourth biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Fifth biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts N/A (not among the top 5)
Customer - increased processes	Customer - increased processes Biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Second biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Third biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Fourth biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Fifth biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes N/A (not among the top 5)
Customer - pricing pressures	Customer - pricing pressures Biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Second biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Third biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Fourth biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Fifth biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures N/A (not among the top 5)
ESG and sustainability goals	ESG and sustainability goals Biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Second biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Third biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Fourth biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Fifth biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals N/A (not among the top 5)
Finance - availability	Finance - availability Biggest challenge	Finance - availability Second biggest challenge	Finance - availability Third biggest challenge	Finance - availability Fourth biggest challenge	Finance - availability Fifth biggest challenge	Finance - availability N/A (not among the top 5)
Finance - cost	Finance - cost Biggest challenge	Finance - cost Second biggest challenge	Finance - cost Third biggest challenge	Finance - cost Fourth biggest challenge	Finance - cost Fifth biggest challenge	Finance - cost N/A (not among the top 5)
Geopolitical developments	Geopolitical developments Biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Second biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Third biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Fourth biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Fifth biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments N/A (not among the top 5)
Improving efficiency	Improving efficiency Biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Second biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Third biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Fourth biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Fifth biggest challenge	Improving efficiency N/A (not among the top 5)
Industry skills gap	Industry skills gap Biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Second biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Third biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Fourth biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Fifth biggest challenge	Industry skills gap N/A (not among the top 5)
Staff shortages and increased labor costs	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Second biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Third biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Fourth biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Fifth biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs N/A (not among the top 5)
Tariffs	Tariffs Biggest challenge	Tariffs Second biggest challenge	Tariffs Third biggest challenge	Tariffs Fourth biggest challenge	Tariffs Fifth biggest challenge	Tariffs N/A (not among the top 5)
Volatility of fuel and energy costs	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Second biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Third biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Fourth biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Fifth biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs N/A (not among the top 5)
Warehouse storage capacity	Warehouse storage capacity Biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Second biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Third biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Fourth biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Fifth biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity N/A (not among the top 5)
Other	Other Biggest challenge	Other Second biggest challenge	Other Third biggest challenge	Other Fourth biggest challenge	Other Fifth biggest challenge	Other N/A (not among the top 5)

If selected other, please specify:

4. Please rank what you think will be your top 5 challenges in 2025 in order.

	Biggest challenge	Second biggest challenge	Third biggest challenge	Fourth biggest challenge	Fifth biggest challenge	N/A (not among the top 5)
Access to technology	Access to technology Biggest challenge	Access to technology Second biggest challenge	Access to technology Third biggest challenge	Access to technology Fourth biggest challenge	Access to technology Fifth biggest challenge	Access to technology N/A (not among the top 5)
Cashflow concerns	Cashflow concerns Biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Second biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Third biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Fourth biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns Fifth biggest challenge	Cashflow concerns N/A (not among the top 5)
Changing levels of demand or service	Changing levels of demand or service Biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Second biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Third biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Fourth biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service Fifth biggest challenge	Changing levels of demand or service N/A (not among the top 5)
Cost of living crisis / inflation	Cost of living crisis / inflation Biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Second biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Third biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Fourth biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation Fifth biggest challenge	Cost of living crisis / inflation N/A (not among the top 5)
Cost of new technology	Cost of new technology Biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Second biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Third biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Fourth biggest challenge	Cost of new technology Fifth biggest challenge	Cost of new technology N/A (not among the top 5)
Customer - bad debts	Customer - bad debts Biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Second biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Third biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Fourth biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts Fifth biggest challenge	Customer - bad debts N/A (not among the top 5)
Customer - increased processes	Customer - increased processes Biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Second biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Third biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Fourth biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes Fifth biggest challenge	Customer - increased processes N/A (not among the top 5)
Customer - pricing pressures	Customer - pricing pressures Biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Second biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Third biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Fourth biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures Fifth biggest challenge	Customer - pricing pressures N/A (not among the top 5)
ESG and sustainability goals	ESG and sustainability goals Biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Second biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Third biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Fourth biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals Fifth biggest challenge	ESG and sustainability goals N/A (not among the top 5)
Finance - availability	Finance - availability Biggest challenge	Finance - availability Second biggest challenge	Finance - availability Third biggest challenge	Finance - availability Fourth biggest challenge	Finance - availability Fifth biggest challenge	Finance - availability N/A (not among the top 5)
Finance - cost	Finance - cost Biggest challenge	Finance - cost Second biggest challenge	Finance - cost Third biggest challenge	Finance - cost Fourth biggest challenge	Finance - cost Fifth biggest challenge	Finance - cost N/A (not among the top 5)
Geopolitical developments	Geopolitical developments Biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Second biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Third biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Fourth biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments Fifth biggest challenge	Geopolitical developments N/A (not among the top 5)
Improving efficiency	Improving efficiency Biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Second biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Third biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Fourth biggest challenge	Improving efficiency Fifth biggest challenge	Improving efficiency N/A (not among the top 5)
Industry skills gap	Industry skills gap Biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Second biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Third biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Fourth biggest challenge	Industry skills gap Fifth biggest challenge	Industry skills gap N/A (not among the top 5)
Staff shortages and increased labor costs	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Second biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Third biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Fourth biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs Fifth biggest challenge	Staff shortages and increased labor costs N/A (not among the top 5)
Tariffs	Tariffs Biggest challenge	Tariffs Second biggest challenge	Tariffs Third biggest challenge	Tariffs Fourth biggest challenge	Tariffs Fifth biggest challenge	Tariffs N/A (not among the top 5)
Volatility of fuel and energy costs	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Second biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Third biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Fourth biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs Fifth biggest challenge	Volatility of fuel and energy costs N/A (not among the top 5)
Warehouse storage capacity	Warehouse storage capacity Biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Second biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Third biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Fourth biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity Fifth biggest challenge	Warehouse storage capacity N/A (not among the top 5)
Other	Other Biggest challenge	Other Second biggest challenge	Other Third biggest challenge	Other Fourth biggest challenge	Other Fifth biggest challenge	Other N/A (not among the top 5)

If selected other, please specify:

5. In 2025, are you likely to invest in supply chain technology?

Yes, definitely
Yes, maybe
No, it’s not in the plan
No, because we have already invested in technology

6. Which, if any, supply chain technologies do you plan to invest in over the next 5 years? (multiple selections allowed)

7. What are your top 3 drivers for investing in supply chain technology?

	Biggest driver	Second biggest driver	Third biggest driver	N/A (not among the top 3)
Delivering improved cost and efficiency	Delivering improved cost and efficiency Biggest driver	Delivering improved cost and efficiency Second biggest driver	Delivering improved cost and efficiency Third biggest driver	Delivering improved cost and efficiency N/A (not among the top 3)
Extending and improving customer service	Extending and improving customer service Biggest driver	Extending and improving customer service Second biggest driver	Extending and improving customer service Third biggest driver	Extending and improving customer service N/A (not among the top 3)
Gaining competitive advantages	Gaining competitive advantages Biggest driver	Gaining competitive advantages Second biggest driver	Gaining competitive advantages Third biggest driver	Gaining competitive advantages N/A (not among the top 3)
Improving service offering	Improving service offering Biggest driver	Improving service offering Second biggest driver	Improving service offering Third biggest driver	Improving service offering N/A (not among the top 3)
Meeting ESG and sustainability goals	Meeting ESG and sustainability goals Biggest driver	Meeting ESG and sustainability goals Second biggest driver	Meeting ESG and sustainability goals Third biggest driver	Meeting ESG and sustainability goals N/A (not among the top 3)
Sharing data with others	Sharing data with others Biggest driver	Sharing data with others Second biggest driver	Sharing data with others Third biggest driver	Sharing data with others N/A (not among the top 3)
Other	Other Biggest driver	Other Second biggest driver	Other Third biggest driver	Other N/A (not among the top 3)

If selected other, please specify:

8. What are the top 3 key factors driving ESG objectives in your business?

	Biggest factor	Second biggest factor	Third biggest factor	N/A (not among the top 3)
Achieving climate neutrality by 2050	Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 Biggest factor	Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 Second biggest factor	Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 Third biggest factor	Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 N/A (not among the top 3)
Attracting investors	Attracting investors Biggest factor	Attracting investors Second biggest factor	Attracting investors Third biggest factor	Attracting investors N/A (not among the top 3)
Attracting new customers	Attracting new customers Biggest factor	Attracting new customers Second biggest factor	Attracting new customers Third biggest factor	Attracting new customers N/A (not among the top 3)
Increasing consumer demand	Increasing consumer demand Biggest factor	Increasing consumer demand Second biggest factor	Increasing consumer demand Third biggest factor	Increasing consumer demand N/A (not among the top 3)
Making a positive environmental impact	Making a positive environmental impact Biggest factor	Making a positive environmental impact Second biggest factor	Making a positive environmental impact Third biggest factor	Making a positive environmental impact N/A (not among the top 3)
Meeting regulatory and legislative requirements	Meeting regulatory and legislative requirements Biggest factor	Meeting regulatory and legislative requirements Second biggest factor	Meeting regulatory and legislative requirements Third biggest factor	Meeting regulatory and legislative requirements N/A (not among the top 3)
Retaining staff	Retaining staff Biggest factor	Retaining staff Second biggest factor	Retaining staff Third biggest factor	Retaining staff N/A (not among the top 3)
We actively avoid anything ESG-related	We actively avoid anything ESG-related Biggest factor	We actively avoid anything ESG-related Second biggest factor	We actively avoid anything ESG-related Third biggest factor	We actively avoid anything ESG-related N/A (not among the top 3)
Other	Other Biggest factor	Other Second biggest factor	Other Third biggest factor	Other N/A (not among the top 3)

If selected other, please specify:

9. How prepared is your supply chain to handle unexpected disruptions (e.g., pandemics, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions)?

Very prepared	Somewhat prepared	Neutral	Somewhat unprepared	Very unprepared
Very prepared	Somewhat prepared	Neutral	Somewhat unprepared	Very unprepared

10. In your opinion, what will be the most significant driver of change in global supply chains by 2030?

11. Which of your supply chain and legal challenges would you be most interested in hearing about from our cross-practice team?

12. Your information (Optional)

Name:
Company:
Email address:

Thank you for your valuable input. We look forward to sharing the results of this survey in a report with our commentary in the next few months. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at Reed Smith.