{"id":98225,"date":"2026-08-28T10:32:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T15:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/?post_type=guides&p=98225"},"modified":"2026-08-28T13:31:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T18:31:35","slug":"shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report","status":"publish","type":"guides","link":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/en-au\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/","title":{"rendered":"ShipStation’s 2026 Merchant Insights Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\nShipStation\u2019s 2026 Merchant Insights Report \u2014 One Business. Two Shipping Operations.<\/title>\n<style>\n\/* ============================================================\n RESET + BASE\n ============================================================ *\/\n*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n:root {\n --green: #8B7FFF; \/* accent, dark surfaces (names kept from the green era) *\/\n --mid-green: #5C50FF; \/* accent, light surfaces *\/\n --dark-green:#3B31C4; \/* accent, small text on light *\/\n --indigo: #11003A;\n --indigo-80: rgba(17,0,58,0.8);\n --indigo-soft:#1a0057;\n --violet: #5C50FF;\n --cyan: #00AAFF;\n --marigold: #FFB400;\n --ss-green: #00E664; \/* ShipStation green: data series + section banners *\/\n --white: #ffffff;\n --off-white: #F7F8FA;\n --gray-100: #F0F1F5;\n --gray-200: #DDE0EA;\n --gray-400: #676B8A; \/* captions, source lines *\/\n --gray-500: #4A4E6B; \/* card descriptions, chart titles *\/\n --gray-700: #11003A;\n --text: #11003A;\n --radius: 12px;\n --radius-lg: 20px;\n --transition: all 0.35s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);\n}\nhtml { scroll-behavior: smooth; }\nbody {\n \/* Figtree is served by the theme's local variable font \u2014 no web-font import here *\/\n font-family: 'Figtree', sans-serif;\n color: var(--text);\n background: var(--white);\n line-height: 1.65;\n -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;\n overflow-x: hidden;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n PROGRESS BAR + STICKY NAV\n ============================================================ *\/\n#progress-bar {\n position: fixed;\n top: 0; left: 0;\n height: 3px;\n background: var(--green);\n width: 0%;\n z-index: 1000;\n transition: width 0.1s linear;\n}\n#sticky-nav {\n position: fixed;\n top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;\n height: 60px;\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.97);\n backdrop-filter: blur(12px);\n -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(17,0,58,0.08);\n z-index: 999;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: space-between;\n padding: 0 2.5rem;\n transform: translateY(-100%);\n transition: transform 0.4s ease;\n}\n#sticky-nav.visible { transform: translateY(0); }\n.nav-logo {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n color: var(--white);\n font-weight: 700;\n font-size: 1rem;\n text-decoration: none;\n}\n.nav-logo-mark {\n width: 28px; height: 28px;\n background: var(--green);\n border-radius: 6px;\n display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\n}\n.nav-logo-mark svg { width: 18px; height: 18px; }\n.nav-links {\n display: flex;\n gap: 2rem;\n list-style: none;\n}\n.nav-links a {\n color: rgba(17,0,58,0.6);\n text-decoration: none;\n font-size: 0.85rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n transition: color 0.2s;\n}\n.nav-links { gap: 1.15rem; align-items: center; }\n.nav-links a {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: baseline;\n gap: 6px;\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n white-space: nowrap;\n padding: 0.3rem 0;\n border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;\n transition: color 0.2s, border-color 0.2s;\n}\n.nav-num {\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--gray-400);\n letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n}\n.nav-links a:hover { color: var(--mid-green); }\n.nav-links a:hover .nav-num { color: var(--mid-green); }\n.nav-links a.active {\n color: var(--indigo);\n font-weight: 700;\n border-bottom-color: var(--mid-green);\n}\n.nav-links a.active .nav-num { color: var(--mid-green); }\n.nav-links a.nav-final .nav-text {\n color: var(--mid-green);\n font-weight: 700;\n}\n\/* Labels drop away before the bar can crowd; numbers carry it *\/\n@media (max-width: 1240px) {\n .nav-links .nav-text { display: none; }\n .nav-links a.nav-final .nav-text,\n .nav-links li:first-child .nav-text { display: inline; }\n .nav-num { font-size: 0.8rem; }\n .nav-links { gap: 1rem; }\n}\n.nav-cta {\n background: var(--green);\n color: var(--indigo);\n padding: 0.45rem 1.2rem;\n border-radius: 6px;\n font-weight: 700;\n font-size: 0.85rem;\n text-decoration: none;\n transition: var(--transition);\n white-space: nowrap;\n}\n.nav-cta:hover { background: var(--mid-green); transform: translateY(-1px); }\n\/* ============================================================\n HERO\n ============================================================ *\/\n.hero {\n min-height: 100vh;\n background: var(--indigo);\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n padding: 3.5rem 2rem 2.5rem;\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n}\n.hero-bg-grid {\n position: absolute;\n inset: 0;\n background-image:\n linear-gradient(rgba(139,127,255,0.04) 1px, transparent 1px),\n linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(139,127,255,0.04) 1px, transparent 1px);\n background-size: 48px 48px;\n pointer-events: none;\n}\n.hero-badge {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n background: rgba(0,230,100,0.12);\n border: 1px solid rgba(0,230,100,0.25);\n color: var(--ss-green);\n padding: 0.4rem 0.95rem;\n border-radius: 100px;\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n letter-spacing: 0.4px;\n margin-bottom: 1.25rem;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n white-space: nowrap;\n}\n.hero-badge-dot {\n width: 6px; height: 6px;\n background: var(--ss-green);\n border-radius: 50%;\n animation: pulse-dot 2s infinite;\n}\n@keyframes pulse-dot {\n 0%, 100% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }\n 50% { opacity: 0.5; transform: scale(0.7); }\n}\n.hero h1 {\n font-size: clamp(2.8rem, 6vw, 5.2rem);\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--white);\n text-align: center;\n letter-spacing: -2px;\n line-height: 1.08;\n max-width: 900px;\n margin-bottom: 1.1rem;\n}\n.hero h1 em {\n font-style: normal;\n color: var(--ss-green);\n}\n.hero-sub {\n font-size: clamp(1rem, 2vw, 1.25rem);\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n text-align: center;\n max-width: 680px;\n margin-bottom: 2.25rem;\n font-weight: 400;\n}\n\/* Hero Stat Row *\/\n.hero-stats {\n display: flex;\n gap: 1px;\n background: #24144A;\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n overflow: hidden;\n max-width: 900px;\n width: 100%;\n margin-bottom: 2rem;\n}\n.hero-stat {\n flex: 1;\n padding: 2rem 1.5rem;\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.04);\n text-align: center;\n transition: background 0.2s;\n cursor: default;\n position: relative;\n}\n.hero-stat:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08); }\n.hero-stat:not(:last-child)::after {\n content: '';\n position: absolute;\n right: 0; top: 20%; bottom: 20%;\n width: 1px;\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);\n}\n.stat-number {\n font-size: clamp(3rem, 5vw, 4.5rem);\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--ss-green);\n letter-spacing: -2px;\n line-height: 1;\n display: block;\n}\n.stat-label {\n font-size: 0.9rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n margin-top: 0.5rem;\n line-height: 1.4;\n font-weight: 500;\n}\n.stat-source {\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n margin-top: 0.4rem;\n font-style: italic;\n}\n.hero-scroll-hint {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n color: #ffffff;\n font-size: 1.1rem;\n animation: bounce-hint 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;\n}\n.hero-scroll-hint svg { width: 32px; height: 32px; }\n@keyframes bounce-hint {\n 0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); opacity: 0.4; }\n 50% { transform: translateY(6px); opacity: 0.8; }\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION BASE\n ============================================================ *\/\n.section {\n padding: 6rem 2rem;\n}\n.section-inner {\n max-width: 1080px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n}\n.section-label {\n display: inline-block;\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--mid-green);\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\n}\nh2 {\n font-size: clamp(2rem, 3.5vw, 3rem);\n font-weight: 800;\n letter-spacing: -1px;\n line-height: 1.1;\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\n}\nh2 em { font-style: normal; color: var(--mid-green); }\n.section-intro {\n font-size: 1.1rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n max-width: 640px;\n margin-bottom: 3.5rem;\n line-height: 1.7;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n DARK SECTIONS\n ============================================================ *\/\n\/* ============================================================\n REVEAL ANIMATIONS\n ============================================================ *\/\n.reveal {\n opacity: 0;\n transform: translateY(28px);\n transition: opacity 0.7s ease, transform 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.22,1,0.36,1);\n}\n.reveal.revealed {\n opacity: 1;\n transform: translateY(0);\n}\n.reveal-delay-1 { transition-delay: 0.1s; }\n.reveal-delay-2 { transition-delay: 0.2s; }\n.reveal-delay-3 { transition-delay: 0.3s; }\n.reveal-delay-4 { transition-delay: 0.4s; }\n.reveal-delay-5 { transition-delay: 0.5s; }\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 1\u2014THE MARKET MOMENT\n ============================================================ *\/\n.market-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 1.5rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 680px) { .market-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n.market-card {\n background: var(--off-white);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2rem;\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n transition: var(--transition);\n cursor: default;\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n}\n.market-card::before {\n content: '';\n position: absolute;\n top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;\n height: 3px;\n background: var(--green);\n transform: scaleX(0);\n transform-origin: left;\n transition: transform 0.4s ease;\n}\n.market-card:hover::before { transform: scaleX(1); }\n.market-card:hover { border-color: transparent; box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n.market-card-big {\n font-size: 3.5rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--indigo);\n letter-spacing: -2px;\n line-height: 1;\n margin-bottom: 0.5rem;\n}\n.market-card-big .pct { color: var(--mid-green); }\n.market-card-label {\n font-size: 1rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--text);\n margin-bottom: 0.4rem;\n}\n.market-card-desc {\n font-size: 0.88rem;\n color: var(--gray-500);\n line-height: 1.55;\n}\n.market-card-source {\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: var(--gray-400);\n margin-top: 0.8rem;\n font-style: italic;\n}\n.market-card.highlight {\n background: var(--indigo);\n border-color: transparent;\n grid-column: 1 \/ -1;\n}\n.market-card.highlight .market-card-big { color: var(--green); }\n.market-card.highlight .market-card-label { color: var(--white); }\n.market-card.highlight .market-card-desc { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); }\n.market-card.highlight .market-card-source { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); }\n.market-card.highlight::before { background: var(--green); }\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 2\u2014BAR CHART (COST BREAKDOWN)\n ============================================================ *\/\n.cost-section { background: var(--gray-100); }\n.cost-chart-wrap {\n background: var(--white);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2.5rem;\n box-shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);\n}\n.chart-title {\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gray-500);\n margin-bottom: 1.5rem;\n}\n.bar-chart { width: 100%; }\n.bar-row {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n margin-bottom: 0.9rem;\n gap: 1rem;\n}\n.bar-label-text {\n width: 220px;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n font-size: 0.88rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n color: var(--text);\n text-align: right;\n padding-right: 0.5rem;\n}\n.bar-track {\n flex: 1;\n height: 32px;\n background: var(--gray-100);\n border-radius: 6px;\n overflow: hidden;\n position: relative;\n}\n.bar-fill {\n height: 100%;\n background: var(--green);\n border-radius: 6px;\n transform: scaleX(0);\n transform-origin: left;\n transition: transform 1s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);\n position: relative;\n}\n.bar-fill.animated { transform: scaleX(1); }\n.bar-fill.indigo-fill { background: var(--indigo); }\n.bar-fill.green-fill { background: var(--ss-green); }\n.bar-fill.grey-fill { background: var(--gray-200); }\n.bar-fill.green-fill .bar-val { color: var(--indigo); }\n.bar-fill.marigold-fill { background: var(--marigold); }\n.bar-fill.marigold-fill .bar-val { color: var(--indigo); }\n.bar-fill.cyan-fill { background: var(--cyan); }\n.bar-val {\n position: absolute;\n right: 10px;\n top: 50%;\n transform: translateY(-50%);\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: white;\n}\n.bar-val.outside {\n right: -45px;\n color: var(--text);\n}\n.bar-delay-1 { transition-delay: 0.05s; }\n.bar-delay-2 { transition-delay: 0.15s; }\n.bar-delay-3 { transition-delay: 0.25s; }\n.bar-delay-4 { transition-delay: 0.35s; }\n.bar-delay-5 { transition-delay: 0.45s; }\n.bar-delay-6 { transition-delay: 0.55s; }\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 3\u2014FREIGHT CHALLENGE (DARK)\n ============================================================ *\/\n.freight-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 1.5rem;\n margin-top: 0.5rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 760px) { .freight-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n.freight-card {\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05);\n border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2rem;\n transition: var(--transition);\n cursor: default;\n}\n.freight-card:hover {\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);\n border-color: rgba(139,127,255,0.3);\n transform: translateY(-3px);\n}\n.freight-card-icon {\n width: 44px; height: 44px;\n border-radius: 10px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\n font-size: 1.3rem;\n}\n.freight-card-icon.green { background: rgba(139,127,255,0.15); }\n.freight-card-icon.violet { background: rgba(92,80,255,0.2); }\n.freight-card-icon.marigold { background: rgba(255,180,0,0.15); }\n.freight-card-num {\n font-size: 2.8rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n letter-spacing: -1px;\n line-height: 1;\n margin-bottom: 0.5rem;\n}\n.freight-card-num.green { color: var(--green); }\n.freight-card-num.violet { color: #8B7FFF; }\n.freight-card-num.marigold { color: var(--marigold); }\n.freight-card h3 {\n font-size: 1rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--white);\n margin-bottom: 0.4rem;\n}\n.freight-card p {\n font-size: 0.88rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n line-height: 1.55;\n}\n.freight-card-src {\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);\n margin-top: 0.6rem;\n font-style: italic;\n}\n\/* Big stat callout *\/\n.big-callout {\n background: rgba(139,127,255,0.06);\n border: 1px solid rgba(139,127,255,0.2);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2.5rem 3rem;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 3rem;\n margin-top: 3rem;\n}\n.big-callout-num {\n font-size: 5rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--green);\n letter-spacing: -3px;\n line-height: 1;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.big-callout-text h3 {\n font-size: 1.3rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--white);\n margin-bottom: 0.4rem;\n}\n.big-callout-text p {\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n max-width: 520px;\n line-height: 1.65;\n}\n.big-callout-text small {\n display: block;\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);\n margin-top: 0.5rem;\n font-style: italic;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 4\u2014RATE MARKET CONTEXT (LIGHT)\n ============================================================ *\/\n.rate-row {\n display: flex;\n gap: 1.5rem;\n margin-top: 2rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 680px) { .rate-row { flex-direction: column; } }\n.rate-card {\n flex: 1;\n padding: 2rem;\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n background: var(--white);\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n transition: var(--transition);\n}\n.rate-card:hover { border-color: var(--green); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n.rate-card-accent {\n position: absolute;\n top: 0; right: 0;\n width: 80px; height: 80px;\n border-radius: 0 var(--radius-lg) 0 80px;\n opacity: 0.15;\n}\n.rate-card-accent.green { background: var(--green); }\n.rate-card-accent.violet { background: var(--violet); }\n.rate-card-accent.marigold { background: var(--marigold); }\n.rate-big {\n font-size: 3rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n letter-spacing: -1.5px;\n line-height: 1;\n margin-bottom: 0.4rem;\n}\n.rate-card h3 { font-size: 0.95rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.3rem; }\n.rate-card p { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--gray-400); line-height: 1.5; }\n.rate-card-src { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--gray-400); margin-top: 0.6rem; font-style: italic; }\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 5\u2014PEAK SEASON\n ============================================================ *\/\n.peak-section { background: var(--off-white); }\n.peak-split {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 3rem;\n align-items: center;\n}\n@media (max-width: 760px) { .peak-split { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n.peak-stat-big {\n background: var(--indigo);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2.5rem;\n text-align: center;\n}\n.peak-stat-big .big-num {\n font-size: 4.5rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--green);\n letter-spacing: -2px;\n line-height: 1;\n}\n.peak-stat-big .big-label {\n font-size: 1rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n margin-top: 0.6rem;\n line-height: 1.5;\n}\n.peak-stat-big .big-source {\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);\n margin-top: 0.5rem;\n font-style: italic;\n}\n.peak-mini-stats {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 1rem;\n margin-top: 1rem;\n}\n.peak-mini {\n background: var(--indigo);\n border-radius: var(--radius);\n padding: 1.2rem;\n text-align: center;\n}\n.peak-mini .mini-num {\n font-size: 2rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--green);\n letter-spacing: -1px;\n line-height: 1;\n}\n.peak-mini .mini-label {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n margin-top: 0.3rem;\n line-height: 1.4;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 6\u2014MERCHANT NEEDS \/ LOYALTY\n ============================================================ *\/\n.needs-section { background: var(--white); }\n.needs-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 1.5rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 680px) { .needs-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n.needs-card {\n padding: 2rem;\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n transition: var(--transition);\n cursor: default;\n}\n.needs-card:hover { border-color: var(--mid-green); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.07); transform: translateY(-2px); }\n.needs-card.featured {\n background: var(--indigo);\n border-color: transparent;\n grid-column: 1 \/ -1;\n}\n.needs-card h3 { font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }\n.needs-card.featured h3 { color: var(--white); }\n.needs-card p { font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--gray-700); line-height: 1.6; }\n.needs-card.featured p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); }\n.needs-card-big {\n font-size: 3.2rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n letter-spacing: -1.5px;\n color: var(--indigo);\n line-height: 1;\n margin-bottom: 0.5rem;\n}\n.needs-card.featured .needs-card-big { color: var(--green); font-size: 4rem; }\n.needs-tag {\n display: inline-block;\n background: rgba(92,80,255,0.1);\n color: var(--mid-green);\n padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;\n border-radius: 100px;\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n margin-bottom: 0.75rem;\n}\n.needs-tag.dark {\n background: rgba(139,127,255,0.1);\n color: var(--green);\n}\n.needs-source { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--gray-400); margin-top: 0.5rem; font-style: italic; }\n.needs-source.light { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); }\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 7\u2014SHIPSTATION SOLUTION\n ============================================================ *\/\n.solution-section { background: var(--off-white); position: relative; overflow: hidden; }\n.solution-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 1.5rem;\n margin-top: 1rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 760px) { .solution-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n.solution-card {\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05);\n border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2rem;\n transition: var(--transition);\n cursor: default;\n display: flex;\n gap: 1.2rem;\n}\n.solution-card:hover {\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);\n border-color: rgba(139,127,255,0.3);\n transform: translateY(-2px);\n}\n.solution-icon {\n width: 44px; height: 44px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.solution-icon img { display: block; width: 44px; height: 44px; }\n.solution-card h3 { font-size: 0.95rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--white); margin-bottom: 0.3rem; }\n.solution-card p { font-size: 0.85rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); line-height: 1.55; }\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 8\u2014CUSTOMER GROWTH DATA\n ============================================================ *\/\n\/* Cohort bar *\/\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 9\u2014INTERACTIVE CTA SECTION\n ============================================================ *\/\n.cta-section {\n background: var(--indigo);\n padding: 6rem 2rem;\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n}\n.cta-glow {\n position: absolute;\n width: 700px; height: 700px;\n background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(0,230,100,0.1) 0%, transparent 70%);\n border-radius: 50%;\n top: 50%; left: 50%;\n transform: translate(-50%, -50%);\n pointer-events: none;\n}\n.cta-inner {\n max-width: 860px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n text-align: center;\n position: relative;\n}\n.cta-eyebrow {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 2px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--ss-green);\n margin-bottom: 1.2rem;\n}\n.cta-headline {\n font-size: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3.5rem);\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--white);\n letter-spacing: -1.5px;\n line-height: 1.1;\n margin-bottom: 1.2rem;\n}\n.cta-headline em { font-style: normal; color: var(--ss-green); }\n.cta-sub {\n font-size: 1.05rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n margin-bottom: 2.5rem;\n max-width: 560px;\n margin-left: auto;\n margin-right: auto;\n line-height: 1.65;\n}\n\/* Toggle *\/\n.cta-toggle {\n display: flex;\n gap: 0;\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);\n border-radius: 100px;\n padding: 4px;\n width: fit-content;\n margin: 0 auto 2rem;\n}\n.toggle-btn {\n padding: 0.6rem 1.7rem;\n border-radius: 100px;\n border: none;\n background: transparent;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n font-family: 'Figtree', sans-serif;\n font-size: 0.88rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n cursor: pointer;\n transition: all 0.25s ease;\n}\n.toggle-btn.active {\n background: var(--ss-green);\n color: var(--indigo);\n}\n.cta-panel { display: none; }\n.cta-panel.visible { display: block; }\n.cta-card {\n background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05);\n border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2.5rem;\n max-width: 600px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n}\n.cta-card p {\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n margin-bottom: 1.8rem;\n line-height: 1.65;\n}\n.cta-btns { display: flex; gap: 1rem; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; }\n.btn-primary {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n background: var(--ss-green);\n color: var(--indigo);\n padding: 0.85rem 2.1rem;\n border-radius: 100px;\n font-family: 'Figtree', sans-serif;\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n text-decoration: none;\n cursor: pointer;\n border: none;\n transition: var(--transition);\n}\n.btn-primary:hover { background: #00C257; transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,230,100,0.3); }\n.btn-secondary {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n background: transparent;\n color: var(--white);\n padding: 0.85rem 2.1rem;\n border-radius: 100px;\n font-family: 'Figtree', sans-serif;\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n text-decoration: none;\n cursor: pointer;\n border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.2);\n transition: var(--transition);\n}\n.btn-secondary:hover { border-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); }\n.steps-list {\n list-style: none;\n text-align: left;\n margin-bottom: 1.8rem;\n}\n.steps-list li {\n display: flex;\n align-items: flex-start;\n gap: 1rem;\n padding: 0.7rem 0;\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.07);\n font-size: 0.9rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n}\n.steps-list li:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n.step-num {\n width: 24px; height: 24px;\n background: var(--ss-green);\n color: var(--indigo);\n border-radius: 50%;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n font-size: 0.72rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n margin-top: 1px;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n SOURCES \/ FOOTER\n ============================================================ *\/\n.sources-section {\n background: var(--gray-100);\n padding: 3rem 2rem;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n}\n.sources-inner {\n max-width: 1080px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n}\n.sources-title {\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 1.5px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gray-400);\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\n}\n.sources-list {\n list-style: none;\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n gap: 0.4rem;\n}\n.sources-list li { font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--gray-400); }\n.sources-list a { color: var(--mid-green); text-decoration: none; }\n.sources-list a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }\n.footer-bar {\n background: var(--indigo);\n padding: 2rem;\n text-align: center;\n}\n.footer-bar p {\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.72);\n}\n.footer-bar a { color: var(--ss-green); text-decoration: none; }\n\/* ============================================================\n DIVIDER \/ PULL QUOTE\n ============================================================ *\/\n.pull-quote {\n background: var(--ss-green);\n padding: 4rem 2rem;\n text-align: center;\n}\n.pull-quote p em { font-style: normal; }\n.pull-quote p {\n font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 3vw, 2.2rem);\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--indigo);\n letter-spacing: -0.5px;\n max-width: 800px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n line-height: 1.3;\n}\n.pull-quote cite {\n display: block;\n font-size: 0.85rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--indigo-80);\n margin-top: 0.8rem;\n font-style: normal;\n letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n METHODOLOGY RIBBON\n ============================================================ *\/\n.methodology {\n background: var(--off-white);\n border-top: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n border-bottom: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n padding: 1.5rem 2rem;\n}\n.methodology-inner {\n max-width: 1080px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 2rem;\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n}\n.methodology p {\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n color: var(--gray-400);\n line-height: 1.5;\n}\n.methodology strong { color: var(--text); }\n.method-badge {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 6px;\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n border-radius: 8px;\n padding: 0.4rem 0.8rem;\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--text);\n flex-shrink: 0;\n white-space: nowrap;\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n RESPONSIVE\n ============================================================ *\/\n@media (max-width: 680px) {\n .hero-stats { flex-direction: column; }\n .hero-stat::after { display: none; }\n .big-callout { flex-direction: column; gap: 1rem; text-align: center; }\n .big-callout-num { font-size: 3.5rem; }\n .nav-links { display: none; }\n .bar-label-text { width: 160px; font-size: 0.78rem; }\n}\n\/* ============================================================\n SCROLL TO TOP\n ============================================================ *\/\n#scroll-top {\n position: fixed;\n bottom: 2rem; right: 2rem;\n width: 44px; height: 44px;\n background: var(--green);\n color: var(--indigo);\n border: none;\n border-radius: 50%;\n cursor: pointer;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n opacity: 0;\n transform: translateY(10px);\n transition: opacity 0.3s, transform 0.3s;\n z-index: 100;\n font-size: 1.1rem;\n}\n#scroll-top.visible { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }\n#scroll-top:hover { background: var(--mid-green); }\n\/* ============================================================\n EDITORIAL TREATMENTS (new in v2)\n Needed because sections now alternate prose and stat blocks.\n ============================================================ *\/\n\n\/* ---- Section deck (the subheading under the H2) ----\n Green left rule marks it as a deck so it reads differently\n from the body prose that now follows it. *\/\n.section-intro {\n font-size: 1.18rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n max-width: 820px;\n margin-bottom: 2.75rem;\n padding-left: 1.3rem;\n border-left: 3px solid var(--green);\n line-height: 1.65;\n}\n\n\/* ---- Narrative body copy ---- *\/\n.body-copy {\n max-width: 800px;\n font-size: 1.05rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n line-height: 1.78;\n margin-bottom: 1.15rem;\n}\n.body-copy:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n.body-copy strong { color: var(--text); font-weight: 700; }\n\n\/* Wrapper that gives prose room to breathe around stat clusters *\/\n.prose-block { margin: 0 0 3rem; }\n.prose-block.between { margin: 3rem 0; }\n.prose-block.tight { margin-bottom: 1.75rem; }\n\n\/* ---- Stat cluster spacing ---- *\/\n.stat-cluster { margin-bottom: 0; }\n.market-grid--three { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }\n@media (max-width: 760px) { .market-grid--three { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n\n\/* ---- Cumulative \/ derived-figure callout under a chart ---- *\/\n.data-callout {\n margin-top: 1.5rem;\n padding: 1.1rem 1.4rem;\n background: rgba(92,80,255,0.07);\n border-left: 3px solid var(--mid-green);\n border-radius: 0 var(--radius) var(--radius) 0;\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n font-weight: 500;\n line-height: 1.6;\n}\n.data-callout strong { color: var(--indigo); font-weight: 800; }\n\n\/* ---- Closing turn \/ handoff line at the end of a section ---- *\/\n.section-turn {\n max-width: 860px;\n font-size: 1.2rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--indigo);\n line-height: 1.55;\n margin-top: 2.75rem;\n padding-top: 1.75rem;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n}\n.section-turn em { font-style: normal; color: var(--mid-green); }\n.section-turn.light {\n color: var(--white);\n border-top-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);\n}\n\n\/* ---- Chart card sitting on a white section instead of gray ---- *\/\n.cost-chart-wrap.on-white {\n background: var(--off-white);\n box-shadow: none;\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n}\n\/* For a chart sitting on a tinted section \u2014 card goes white instead *\/\n.cost-chart-wrap.on-tint {\n background: var(--white);\n box-shadow: none;\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n}\n\n\/* ---- Section 02 background ---- *\/\n.freight-reality { background: var(--off-white); }\n\n\/* ---- Two-workflow comparison ---- *\/\n\/* Two white cards sitting directly on the indigo section. *\/\n.flow-compare { display: grid; gap: 1rem; margin-top: 1.5rem; }\n.flow-row {\n background: var(--off-white);\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 1.5rem 1.75rem;\n}\n.flow-row.is-parcel { border-left: 4px solid var(--mid-green); }\n.flow-row.is-freight { border-left: 4px solid #E8A200; }\n.flow-name {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n margin-bottom: 0.9rem;\n}\n.is-parcel .flow-name { color: var(--mid-green); }\n.is-freight .flow-name { color: #8A6100; }\n.flow-steps {\n display: flex;\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 0.5rem;\n}\n.flow-step {\n background: var(--gray-100);\n border-radius: 6px;\n padding: 0.45rem 0.8rem;\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n}\n.flow-step.is-flag {\n background: rgba(255,180,0,0.22);\n color: #7A5600;\n font-weight: 700;\n}\n.flow-arrow { color: var(--gray-400); font-size: 0.9rem; }\n\n\/* ---- Light panel on a dark section ----\n Breaks up a long stretch of indigo. Flips the flow graphic\n to light-background colors when nested inside. *\/\n.panel {\n background: var(--gray-100);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2.5rem 2.75rem;\n margin-top: 3rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 680px) {\n .panel { padding: 1.75rem 1.5rem; }\n}\n\n\/* ---- Single full-width statistic ----\n Standard treatment for any section with one stat spanning the\n full width: number left, copy right. Mirrors .big-callout. *\/\n.statement-stat {\n background: var(--indigo);\n border-radius: var(--radius-lg);\n padding: 2.75rem 3rem;\n margin: 0 0 3rem;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 3rem;\n text-align: left;\n}\n.statement-stat .ss-num {\n font-size: clamp(3.2rem, 6vw, 5.5rem);\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--ss-green);\n letter-spacing: -3px;\n line-height: 1;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.statement-stat .ss-body { min-width: 0; }\n.statement-stat .ss-label {\n font-size: 1.3rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--white);\n line-height: 1.3;\n margin-bottom: 0.4rem;\n}\n.statement-stat .ss-desc {\n font-size: 0.98rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);\n max-width: 560px;\n line-height: 1.65;\n}\n.statement-stat .ss-src {\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.72);\n margin-top: 0.6rem;\n font-style: italic;\n}\n@media (max-width: 680px) {\n .statement-stat {\n flex-direction: column;\n align-items: flex-start;\n gap: 0.75rem;\n padding: 2rem 1.75rem;\n }\n}\n\/* Variant for use on an already-dark section *\/\n\n\/* ---- Tiered explainer scale (parcel \/ LTL \/ truckload) ---- *\/\n.tier-label {\n font-size: 0.8rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--gray-500);\n margin-bottom: 1rem;\n}\n.tier-scale { display: grid; gap: 0.9rem; }\n.tier-row {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 1.5rem;\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n border-left: 4px solid var(--gray-200);\n border-radius: var(--radius);\n padding: 1.25rem 1.5rem;\n transition: var(--transition);\n}\n.tier-row.is-focus {\n border-left-color: var(--mid-green);\n box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.07);\n}\n.tier-name {\n font-size: 1.05rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n color: var(--indigo);\n width: 160px;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.tier-row.is-focus .tier-name { color: var(--mid-green); }\n.tier-desc { font-size: 0.95rem; color: var(--gray-700); line-height: 1.5; }\n.tier-tag {\n margin-left: auto;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n background: rgba(92,80,255,0.1);\n color: var(--mid-green);\n font-size: 0.7rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n padding: 0.3rem 0.75rem;\n border-radius: 100px;\n}\n@media (max-width: 680px) {\n .tier-row { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0.4rem; }\n .tier-name { width: auto; }\n .tier-tag { margin-left: 0; }\n}\n\n\/* ============================================================\n STACKED IMPORTANCE CHART (section 05)\n ============================================================ *\/\n.stack-legend {\n display: flex;\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n gap: 0.4rem 1.25rem;\n margin-bottom: 1.75rem;\n}\n.stack-key {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 7px;\n font-size: 0.75rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n white-space: nowrap;\n}\n.stack-swatch {\n width: 12px; height: 12px;\n border-radius: 3px;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.stack-row {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 1.25rem;\n margin-bottom: 0.85rem;\n}\n.stack-row:last-of-type { margin-bottom: 0; }\n.stack-label {\n width: 220px;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n text-align: right;\n font-size: 0.85rem;\n font-weight: 500;\n color: var(--text);\n line-height: 1.35;\n}\n.stack-track {\n flex: 1;\n display: flex;\n height: 34px;\n border-radius: 6px;\n overflow: hidden;\n min-width: 0;\n}\n.stack-seg {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n font-size: 0.74rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--white);\n transform: scaleX(0);\n transform-origin: left;\n transition: transform 0.9s cubic-bezier(0.22,1,0.36,1);\n}\n.stack-track.animated .stack-seg { transform: scaleX(1); }\n.s1 { background: var(--indigo); }\n.s2 { background: var(--cyan); color: var(--indigo); }\n.s3 { background: var(--gray-200); color: var(--gray-700); }\n\/* Logistics-handling chart. Marigold marks the third-party column so it\n matches the freight side of the workflow graphic in the same section. *\/\n.d1 { background: var(--indigo); }\n.d2 { background: #E8A200; color: var(--indigo); }\n.d3 { background: var(--gray-200); color: var(--gray-700); }\n.stack-label.is-key { color: #8A6100; font-weight: 800; }\n@media (max-width: 760px) {\n .stack-row { gap: 0.75rem; }\n .stack-label { width: 130px; font-size: 0.76rem; }\n .stack-seg { font-size: 0.66rem; }\n}\n\n\/* ============================================================\n KEY TAKEAWAYS (sits outside the 01\u201307 sequence)\n ============================================================ *\/\n.takeaways { background: var(--off-white); }\n.takeaway-list {\n list-style: none;\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n gap: 1.75rem 3rem;\n margin-top: 0.5rem;\n}\n@media (max-width: 760px) { .takeaway-list { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 1.5rem; } }\n.takeaway {\n display: flex;\n gap: 1.1rem;\n align-items: flex-start;\n}\n.takeaway-num {\n font-size: 1.65rem;\n font-weight: 800;\n line-height: 1;\n color: var(--mid-green);\n letter-spacing: -1px;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n min-width: 1.6rem;\n padding-top: 0.1rem;\n}\n.takeaway-body p {\n font-size: 1rem;\n color: var(--gray-700);\n line-height: 1.6;\n}\n.takeaway-body strong { font-weight: 800; }\n\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 07 \u2014 THREE-UP STAT BAND\n Built for four items; with three, spread them across the full\n width instead of clustering them in the middle.\n ============================================================ *\/\n\n\/* ============================================================\n SECTION 06 \u2014 LIGHT FEATURE CARDS\n Flips the four capability cards to a light surface so the\n section isn't a solid block of indigo.\n ============================================================ *\/\n.solution-card {\n background: var(--white);\n border: 1px solid var(--gray-200);\n}\n.solution-card:hover {\n border-color: var(--mid-green);\n box-shadow: 0 8px 26px rgba(0,0,0,0.09);\n}\n.solution-card h3 { color: var(--indigo); }\n.solution-card p { color: var(--gray-700); }\n\n\/* ============================================================\n HERO OVERRIDES (must stay last to win over defaults)\n ============================================================ *\/\n\/* Headline: exactly two lines \u2014 \"Two Shipping Operations.\" never breaks.\n Font scales with viewport width so the nowrap line can't overflow. *\/\n.hero h1 {\n max-width: 1040px;\n font-size: clamp(2.1rem, 6.2vw, 4.9rem);\n}\n.hero h1 em {\n white-space: nowrap;\n}\n\/* Wider measure so the two-sentence subhead holds at ~3 lines *\/\n.hero-sub {\n max-width: 780px;\n}\n\/* ---- 4-stat row ---- *\/\n.hero-stats--four {\n max-width: 1080px;\n flex-wrap: nowrap; \/* all four stay on one row *\/\n align-items: stretch;\n}\n.hero-stats--four .hero-stat {\n flex: 1 1 0; \/* equal widths, allowed to shrink *\/\n min-width: 0; \/* lets text wrap instead of forcing overflow *\/\n padding: 1.75rem 1rem;\n}\n.hero-stats--four .stat-number {\n font-size: clamp(2rem, 3.4vw, 3.2rem);\n letter-spacing: -1.5px;\n}\n.hero-stats--four .stat-label {\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n line-height: 1.4;\n text-wrap: balance;\n}\n.hero-source-line {\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.72);\n font-style: italic;\n margin: -1rem 0 1.5rem;\n text-align: center;\n}\n.hero-stats--four .stat-source {\n font-size: 0.68rem;\n line-height: 1.35;\n margin-top: 0.6rem;\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.72);\n}\n\/* Tighten further on narrow tablets so four columns still read cleanly *\/\n@media (min-width: 681px) and (max-width: 900px) {\n .hero-stats--four .hero-stat { padding: 1.4rem 0.7rem; }\n .hero-stats--four .stat-number { font-size: 1.85rem; letter-spacing: -1px; }\n .hero-stats--four .stat-label { font-size: 0.74rem; line-height: 1.35; }\n}\n\/* Below 680px the base rule stacks them into a single column *\/\n<\/style>\n<!-- PROGRESS BAR -->\n<div id=\"progress-bar\"><\/div>\n<!-- STICKY NAV -->\n<nav id=\"sticky-nav\">\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"nav-logo\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipstationglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/sg-logo-with-TM-RGB_1-line-deepindigo.svg\" alt=\"ShipStation Global\" style=\"height:28px;display:block;\">\n <\/a>\n <ul class=\"nav-links\" id=\"toc\">\n <li><a href=\"#takeaways\"><span class=\"nav-text\">At a Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#growth-ceiling\"><span class=\"nav-num\">01<\/span><span class=\"nav-text\">Growth Ceiling<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#freight-reality\"><span class=\"nav-num\">02<\/span><span class=\"nav-text\">Freight Reality<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#second-workflow\"><span class=\"nav-num\">03<\/span><span class=\"nav-text\">Second Workflow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#peak\"><span class=\"nav-num\">04<\/span><span class=\"nav-text\">Peak Season<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#what-merchants-want\"><span class=\"nav-num\">05<\/span><span class=\"nav-text\">What They Want<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#solution\"><span class=\"nav-num\">06<\/span><span class=\"nav-text\">Solution<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <li><a href=\"#get-started\" class=\"nav-final\"><span class=\"nav-text\">Get Started<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/app.shipstation.com\/register\" class=\"nav-cta\" target=\"_blank\">Start Free Trial<\/a>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- ============================================================\n HERO \u2190 UPDATED\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-bg-grid\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"hero-badge\">\n ShipStation\u2019s 2026 Merchant Insights Report\n <\/div>\n <h1>\n One Business.<br>\n <em>Two Shipping Operations.<\/em>\n <\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-sub\">\n What 868 merchants told us about how they manage freight today, where it fragments, and the second shipping workflow that never caught up. What emerged wasn\u2019t a cost problem but a structural one.\n <\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-stats\">\n <div class=\"hero-stat\">\n <span class=\"stat-number\" data-target=\"78\" data-suffix=\"%\">0%<\/span>\n <div class=\"stat-label\">of merchants ship freight\u2014and more than half manage it separately from their parcel operation.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"hero-stat\">\n <span class=\"stat-number\" data-target=\"62\" data-suffix=\"%\">0%<\/span>\n <div class=\"stat-label\">say high parcel shipping and freight rates are limiting their growth.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"hero-stat\">\n <span class=\"stat-number\" data-target=\"50\" data-suffix=\"%\">0%<\/span>\n <div class=\"stat-label\">tie their business success directly to their shipping and inventory software.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <p class=\"hero-source-line\">ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey<\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-scroll-hint\">\n <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12l7 7 7-7\"><\/path>\n <\/svg>\n Scroll to explore\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- METHODOLOGY RIBBON \u2190 UPDATED -->\n<div class=\"methodology\">\n <div class=\"methodology-inner\">\n <div class=\"method-badge\">n = 868 respondents<\/div>\n <div class=\"method-badge\">U.S. retail businesses under 500 employees<\/div>\n <div class=\"method-badge\">Ships to customers at least monthly<\/div>\n <p><strong>Online survey, Q2 2026.<\/strong> US retail businesses with fewer than 500 employees, shipping to customers at least monthly. Respondents are employed full-time, part-time, or self-employed in retail. Company sizes range from sole proprietorships to 499 employees. All survey statistics are from this study unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- ============================================================\n EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE IS UNCHANGED FROM V1\n Sections 01\u201307, CTA, sources, footer, and scripts still\n carry the old structure and copy. These get replaced\n section by section as we work through them.\n ============================================================ -->\n<!-- ============================================================\n KEY TAKEAWAYS\n ============================================================ -->\n\n<section class=\"section takeaways\" id=\"takeaways\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">At a glance<\/span>\n <h2>Six things the data makes <em>hard to argue with.<\/em><\/h2>\n <ul class=\"takeaway-list\">\n <li class=\"takeaway reveal\">\n <div class=\"takeaway-num\">1<\/div>\n <div class=\"takeaway-body\">\n <p><strong>Stability is being mistaken for health.<\/strong> Half of merchants describe their business as healthy. Only <strong>15%<\/strong> are performing significantly better than a year ago.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <li class=\"takeaway reveal reveal-delay-1\">\n <div class=\"takeaway-num\">2<\/div>\n <div class=\"takeaway-body\">\n <p><strong>Shipping is the constraint, not just a cost line.<\/strong> <strong>62%<\/strong> say high shipping and freight rates are limiting their growth\u2014nearly double the next-biggest challenge.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <li class=\"takeaway reveal reveal-delay-2\">\n <div class=\"takeaway-num\">3<\/div>\n <div class=\"takeaway-body\">\n <p><strong>Freight isn\u2019t an edge case.<\/strong> <strong>78%<\/strong> of merchants ship it. It\u2019s also the only logistics activity that more of them outsource (45%) than handle in-house (33%).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <li class=\"takeaway reveal reveal-delay-3\">\n <div class=\"takeaway-num\">4<\/div>\n <div class=\"takeaway-body\">\n <p><strong>The second workflow is where the money leaks.<\/strong> <strong>58%<\/strong> of freight shippers run it through a provider that\u2019s disconnected from parcel, so freight rates are never compared in the way parcel rates are.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <li class=\"takeaway reveal reveal-delay-4\">\n <div class=\"takeaway-num\">5<\/div>\n <div class=\"takeaway-body\">\n <p><strong>Peak concentrates the risk.<\/strong> Over <strong>70%<\/strong> of merchants earn more than a quarter of their annual revenue in a single quarter, and their top concern going in is shipping capacity.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <li class=\"takeaway reveal reveal-delay-5\">\n <div class=\"takeaway-num\">6<\/div>\n <div class=\"takeaway-body\">\n <p><strong>Merchants already want one system.<\/strong> <strong>74%<\/strong> call a single provider for parcel shipping, freight, and warehousing important or very important.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 01\u2014THE GROWTH CEILING\n Absorbs v1 sections 01 (Market Moment) + 02 (Cost Crunch)\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"section\" id=\"growth-ceiling\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">01: The Growth Ceiling<\/span>\n <h2>Business is stable.<br><em>That\u2019s not the same as growing.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"section-intro\">\n Merchants aren\u2019t imagining the pressure, but they may be misreading their own position. Half describe their business as healthy. However, almost none are gaining ground, and the smallest businesses are feeling it hardest.\n <\/p>\n\n <!-- PROSE A -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Retail isn\u2019t collapsing or booming. Merchants are split almost evenly between calling conditions good and poor, meaning there isn\u2019t a single retail economy. There are two. Different businesses can look at the same market and see different things, depending on how much of it they\u2019re built to absorb. Size decides which one you\u2019re in, and smaller businesses live in the harsher version. Neither version has made merchants pessimistic.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- STAT CLUSTER 1 \u2014 how merchants read the moment -->\n <div class=\"market-grid stat-cluster\">\n <div class=\"market-card reveal\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">47%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">of small businesses consider the current economy poor or very poor<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are twice as likely to say the economy is poor or very poor versus those with more than 50 employees. The same market, read very differently.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-1\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">80%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">are facing at least one of three major pressures<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Reduced consumer spending, tariff impacts, and rising carrier fees are all hitting the market at the same time. Four in five merchants are contending with at least one of them.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-2\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">49%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">expect the economy to improve next quarter<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Merchants aren\u2019t bracing for a downturn. They\u2019re expecting better, which makes the lack of year-over-year movement harder to explain away.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-3\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">64%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">are still confident in their own success<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Despite external pressure, merchants believe in their own execution, even when the numbers haven\u2019t caught up to it.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B \u2014 the turn -->\n <div class=\"prose-block between\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Confidence is where it gets complicated. Most describe their business as healthy. Measured that way, retail looks fine. Measured against last year, it looks stalled. Only a small fraction is doing meaningfully better. Merchants are reading stability as health. \u201cFine\u201d is a comfortable place to sit for a year. Something is holding them there.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<!-- gate -->\n <!-- STAT CLUSTER 2 \u2014 what actually changed -->\n <div class=\"market-grid stat-cluster\">\n <div class=\"market-card reveal\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">15%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">say their business is performing significantly better than a year ago<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Half of merchants rate their business health \u201cgood\u201d and another 31% say \u201cexcellent.\u201d Very few are actually further along than they were a year ago.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-1\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">75%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">say their shipping costs rose over the past 12 months<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Cost pressure isn\u2019t a one-off. Merchants are absorbing year-after-year increases. Only 2% saw any decrease.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- LOGISTICS CHALLENGES LIMITING GROWTH -->\n <div class=\"cost-chart-wrap on-white reveal\" style=\"margin-top:3rem;\">\n <div class=\"chart-title\">Which of the following logistics challenges are limiting your business growth?<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-chart\">\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">High shipping and freight rates<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:100.0%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">62%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Expensive or limited warehouse space<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:54.8%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">34%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Managing returns efficiently<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:45.2%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">28%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Scaling fulfillment during busy periods<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-4\" style=\"width:43.5%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">27%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Lack of visibility into shipping and inventory<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-5\" style=\"width:38.7%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">24%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">None of the above<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill grey-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:17.7%\"><div class=\"bar-val outside\">11%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"data-callout\">\n <strong>62%<\/strong> of merchants say high shipping and freight rates are limiting their growth. It\u2019s the only challenge that shows up consistently across company sizes.\n <\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:0.75rem;color:var(--gray-400);margin-top:1.2rem;font-style:italic;\">\n ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey \u00b7 respondents could select all that apply, so percentages total more than 100 \u00b7 bar lengths scaled to the largest response\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <!-- PROSE C \u2014 into the chart -->\n <div class=\"prose-block between tight\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Shipping and fulfillment stopped being a line item a while ago. Packaging, labor, and carrier fees now take up enough of the revenue to determine what a business can afford to do next. UPS and FedEx both set 2026 general rate increases near 6%, with surcharges pushing the effective increase even higher for most shippers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- COST DISTRIBUTION CHART (moved here from v1 section 02) -->\n <div class=\"cost-chart-wrap on-white reveal\">\n <div class=\"chart-title\">What percentage of total revenue is currently spent on shipping and fulfillment?<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-chart\">\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Less than 5%<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:21.9%\">\n <div class=\"bar-val outside\">7%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">5\u201310%<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:78.1%\">\n <div class=\"bar-val\">25%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">11\u201315%<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:100%\">\n <div class=\"bar-val\">32%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">16\u201320%<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-4\" style=\"width:68.8%\">\n <div class=\"bar-val\">22%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">21\u201325%<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-5\" style=\"width:25%\">\n <div class=\"bar-val outside\">8%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">More than 25%<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:15.6%\">\n <div class=\"bar-val outside\">5%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"data-callout\">\n <strong>67%<\/strong> of merchants spend more than 10% of revenue on shipping and fulfillment. <strong>35%<\/strong> spend more than 15%.\n <\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:0.75rem;color:var(--gray-400);margin-top:1.2rem;font-style:italic;\">\n ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey \u00b7 includes packaging, labor, and carrier fees \u00b7 gold bands are those above 15% \u00b7 bar lengths scaled to the largest band\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- CLOSING TURN -->\n <p class=\"section-turn\">\n At these levels, shipping isn\u2019t a cost of doing business. <em>It\u2019s the ceiling.<\/em> And when merchants say shipping, most are only picturing half of it.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- PULL QUOTE 1 -->\n<div class=\"pull-quote\">\n <p>Half of all retailers say their success is directly tied to their shipping and inventory software.<\/p>\n <cite>ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey<\/cite>\n<\/div>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 02\u2014THE FREIGHT REALITY\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"section freight-reality\" id=\"freight-reality\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">02: The Freight Reality<\/span>\n <h2>Freight isn\u2019t the exception.<br><em>It\u2019s the norm.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"section-intro\">\n Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight\u2014shipments too big for parcel but not enough to fill a whole truck\u2014is already standard practice for most merchants. The smallest operations are the holdouts.\n <\/p>\n\n <!-- PROSE A -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Ask a merchant to describe their shipping operation, and you\u2019ll likely hear about parcel: boxes, labels, carriers, rates, and the daily grind of getting orders out the door.<\/p>\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Freight often sits outside that picture. It sounds like someone else\u2019s problem\u2014pallets, loading docks, enterprise logistics teams, a category of business most small retailers don\u2019t believe they\u2019re in. But they are.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- THE SECTION'S ONE STAT, GIVEN FULL WEIGHT -->\n <div class=\"statement-stat reveal\">\n <div class=\"ss-num\" data-target=\"78\" data-suffix=\"%\">0%<\/div>\n <div class=\"ss-body\">\n <div class=\"ss-label\">of merchants ship freight<\/div>\n <p class=\"ss-desc\">Nearly four in five retail merchants ship LTL freight. Not a segment. Not an enterprise tier.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Freight rarely announces itself. It shows up as an inbound inventory shipment, an occasional bulk order, and a wholesale account that outgrew boxes. It\u2019s handled by a broker, rep, or whoever picked up the phone last time. It works, more or less, so it never gets examined.<\/p>\n <p class=\"body-copy\">The smaller merchants skip it entirely. That\u2019s less a choice than a limit. Freight requires knowing how to quote it, classify it, and book it. Businesses without that capability route around it, which quietly caps how large an order they can profitably take. So freight isn\u2019t the question. Where it lives is.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- TIER EXPLAINER -->\n <div class=\"reveal\">\n <div class=\"tier-label\">Where LTL sits<\/div>\n <div class=\"tier-scale\">\n <div class=\"tier-row\">\n <div class=\"tier-name\">Parcel<\/div>\n <div class=\"tier-desc\">Single boxes moving through carrier networks, priced and labeled one at a time.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"tier-row is-focus\">\n <div class=\"tier-name\">LTL freight<\/div>\n <div class=\"tier-desc\">Pallets sharing a truck with other shippers’ freight.<\/div>\n <span class=\"tier-tag\">Where most merchants land<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"tier-row\">\n <div class=\"tier-name\">Full truckload<\/div>\n <div class=\"tier-desc\">You\u2019re paying for the whole trailer, whether or not you fill it.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 03\u2014THE SECOND WORKFLOW\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"section\" id=\"second-workflow\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">03: The Second Workflow<\/span>\n <h2>Most merchants run two shipping workflows.<br><em>They don\u2019t have to.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"section-intro\">\n Freight lives in a different system, with different carriers, and no shared view of what\u2019s moving. Two platforms, two logins, and twice as many things that can go wrong.\n <\/p>\n\n <!-- PROSE A \u2014 the consolidation that skipped freight -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">For years, retail has been consolidating: fewer tools, fewer logins, fewer places to check. Every system that talks to another one is time merchants get back. But freight never made the trip. It stayed where it started\u2014on the phone, with a broker, in a portal disconnected from everything else.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- THE SECTION'S SURVEY STAT -->\n <div class=\"statement-stat reveal\">\n <div class=\"ss-num\" data-target=\"58\" data-suffix=\"%\">0%<\/div>\n <div class=\"ss-body\">\n <div class=\"ss-label\">of freight shippers use a third-party provider<\/div>\n <p class=\"ss-desc\">Among merchants who ship freight, more than half run it through a 3PL or broker with no connection to their parcel platform. Every quote, booking, and tracking update occurs elsewhere.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B \u2014 what the split actually costs -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">The gap is built into the workflow. Freight quoting happens outside the system holding parcel rates, so there\u2019s no comparison to run: you get a number, and you take it, or you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n <p class=\"body-copy\">The same disconnect runs downstream. Tracking in two places means answering \u201cwhere\u2019s my order?\u201d twice as slowly. Two invoices, two sets of charges to reconcile, two support paths to remember. Merchants pay more, see less, and move more slowly.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- TWO WORKFLOWS, SIDE BY SIDE (light panel to break up the indigo) -->\n <div class=\"prose-block tight\" style=\"margin-top:3rem;\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Freight is where the operational drag compounds. Put the two workflows side by side, and every extra step on the freight side is time you don\u2019t get back.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"flow-compare reveal\">\n <div class=\"flow-row is-parcel\">\n <div class=\"flow-name\">Parcel<\/div>\n <div class=\"flow-steps\">\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Order lands<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Rates compare automatically<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Label prints<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Tracking flows back<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">One invoice<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"flow-row is-freight\">\n <div class=\"flow-name\">Freight<\/div>\n <div class=\"flow-steps\">\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Email or call a broker<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Wait for a quote<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step is-flag\">No comparison<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Book by phone or portal<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Track separately<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-arrow\">\u2192<\/span>\n <span class=\"flow-step\">Separate invoice<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B3 \u2014 freight is the one thing merchants outsource -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\" style=\"margin-top:3rem;\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Freight is an outlier in another way. Merchants keep order fulfillment\u2014pick, pack, ship\u2014in house, along with warehousing, returns, and parcel shipping. Freight is the one thing they hand off\u2014and the only activity where more of them use a third party than do it themselves.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <!-- LOGISTICS HANDLING \u2014 who does what -->\n <div class=\"panel reveal\" style=\"margin-top:3rem;\">\n <div class=\"chart-title\">How does your business currently handle the following logistics activities?<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-legend\">\n <span class=\"stack-key\"><span class=\"stack-swatch d1\"><\/span>We do this in house<\/span>\n <span class=\"stack-key\"><span class=\"stack-swatch d2\"><\/span>We use one or more third-party providers<\/span>\n <span class=\"stack-key\"><span class=\"stack-swatch d3\"><\/span>We don\u2019t do this<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Order fulfillment (pick, pack, ship)<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg d1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:73%\">73%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:25%\">25%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:2%\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Warehousing and inventory storage<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg d1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:69%\">69%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:26%\">26%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:5%\">5%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Returns and reverse logistics<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg d1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:66%\">66%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:28%\">28%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:6%\">6%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Parcel shipping to customers<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg d1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:56%\">56%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:42%\">42%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:1%\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Inbound freight from suppliers<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg d1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:44%\">44%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:43%\">43%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:13%\">13%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label is-key\">Freight shipping (LTL or full truckload)<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg d1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:33%\">33%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:45%\">45%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg d3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:22%\">22%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"data-callout\" style=\"margin-top:1.75rem;\">\n Freight is the only activity where more merchants use a third party (<strong>45%<\/strong>) than handle it themselves (<strong>33%<\/strong>). It\u2019s also the only one more than a fifth skip entirely.\n <\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:0.75rem;color:var(--gray-400);margin-top:1.2rem;font-style:italic;\">\n ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey \u00b7 one option selected per row \u00b7 segments under 5% are unlabelled\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- CLOSING TURN -->\n <p class=\"section-turn\">\n A second workflow is manageable when volume is predictable and there\u2019s time to chase down a quote. <em>Then comes the one quarter of the year that\u2019s neither.<\/em>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- BANNER \u2014 after 03 -->\n<div class=\"pull-quote\">\n <p>Fragmented shipping is costing you more than just money.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 04\u2014PEAK SEASON PRESSURE\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"section peak-section\" id=\"peak\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">04: Peak Season Pressure<\/span>\n <h2>Peak rewards preparation.<br><em>It punishes fragmentation.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"section-intro\">\n Most merchants earn an outsized share of the year in a single quarter. The levers they pull to get ready\u2014building inventory, extending timelines\u2014run straight through the workflow they can\u2019t see.\n <\/p>\n\n <!-- PROSE A -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Peak isn\u2019t a surprise. Merchants know when it lands, they know what\u2019s riding on it, and most give themselves real runway. The typical merchant starts preparing two to three months out. But what are they preparing for?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- STAT CLUSTER 1 \u2014 the stakes and the clock -->\n <div class=\"market-grid market-grid--three stat-cluster\">\n <div class=\"market-card reveal\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">70%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">say peak season accounts for more than a quarter of annual revenue<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">For most merchants, six or seven weeks carry a disproportionate share of the year.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-1\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">25%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">generate more than 40% of annual revenue during peak<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">For a quarter of merchants, peak isn\u2019t a busy season. It\u2019s most of the business.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-2\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">45%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">are already preparing for peak, or will start within the month<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Merchants aren\u2019t waiting for a Q4 scramble. Most give themselves two to three months, and nearly half are already in it. Asked in Q2 2026.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B1 \u2014 the clock, then the real worry -->\n <div class=\"prose-block between\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">That makes peak a now problem, not a Q4 problem\u2014the freight and carrier decisions that shape it are being made right now, by nearly half the market already. Ask what worries them most and it isn\u2019t demand. It\u2019s capacity: whether shipments move at all, and what they cost when they do.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- TOP CONCERNS -->\n <div class=\"cost-chart-wrap on-tint reveal\">\n <div class=\"chart-title\">Which of the following are you most concerned with heading into the 2026 peak season?<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-chart\">\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Shipping and carrier capacity \/ delivery delays<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:100.0%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">49%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Carrier rate increases and surcharges<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:95.9%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">47%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Tariffs and import costs affecting margins<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:89.8%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">44%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Consumer pullback on discretionary spending<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-4\" style=\"width:73.5%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">36%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Inventory shortages or stockouts on top sellers<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-5\" style=\"width:63.3%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">31%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">High customer acquisition costs<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:49.0%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">24%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Returns volume and reverse logistics costs<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:44.9%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">22%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">None of the above<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill grey-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:8.2%\"><div class=\"bar-val outside\">4%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"data-callout\">\n <strong>Nearly half<\/strong> of merchants are most concerned about shipping capacity and delays heading into the peak season.\n <\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:0.75rem;color:var(--gray-400);margin-top:1.2rem;font-style:italic;\">\n ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey \u00b7 respondents could select all that apply, so percentages total more than 100 \u00b7 bar lengths scaled to the largest response\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B2 \u2014 what they actually do about it -->\n <div class=\"prose-block between\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Their dominant strategy is inventory: buy early, hold more, extend the timelines you promise customers. The most common peak strategy is also the most freight-dependent one\u2014inbound inventory moves on pallets, booked through the workflow that sits outside everything else.<\/p>\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Smaller merchants have fewer options. Hiring seasonal staff isn\u2019t realistic at ten people, so they absorb peak operationally\u2014same two workflows, more volume in both. And most merchants are absorbing peak themselves rather than outsourcing it.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- HOW MERCHANTS HANDLE PEAK -->\n <div class=\"cost-chart-wrap on-tint reveal\" style=\"margin-top:3rem;\">\n <div class=\"chart-title\">How will your business handle increased peak season orders?<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-chart\">\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Build up inventory in advance<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:100.0%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">59%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Extend shipping timelines for customers<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:74.6%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">44%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Hire seasonal staff<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:67.8%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">40%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Increase hours for existing staff<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-4\" style=\"width:61.0%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">36%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Negotiate better rates with carriers ahead of peak<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-5\" style=\"width:54.2%\"><div class=\"bar-val\">32%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">Use a 3PL or fulfillment partner<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill green-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:22.0%\"><div class=\"bar-val outside\">13%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-row\">\n <div class=\"bar-label-text\">None of the above<\/div>\n <div class=\"bar-track\">\n <div class=\"bar-fill grey-fill bar-delay-6\" style=\"width:6.8%\"><div class=\"bar-val outside\">4%<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"data-callout\">\n <strong>77%<\/strong> of merchants will build up inventory in advance, extend shipping timelines, or both. <strong>13%<\/strong> plan to use a 3PL or fulfillment partner for overflow.\n <\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:0.75rem;color:var(--gray-400);margin-top:1.2rem;font-style:italic;\">\n ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey \u00b7 respondents could select all that apply, so percentages total more than 100 \u00b7 bar lengths scaled to the largest response\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <!-- CLOSING TURN -->\n <p class=\"section-turn\">\n Which is why merchants aren\u2019t only shopping for better rates.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- BANNER \u2014 after 04 -->\n<div class=\"pull-quote\">\n <p>Peak doesn\u2019t hand out new problems. <em>It takes the ones you already have and multiplies them by volume.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 05\u2014WHAT MERCHANTS WANT\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"section needs-section\" id=\"what-merchants-want\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">05: What Merchants Want<\/span>\n <h2>Merchants know what they want,<br><em>but nobody has built it.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"section-intro\">\n Rates open the conversation, but reliability and visibility follow close behind. And the businesses furthest ahead are already choosing partners on technology rather than price.\n <\/p>\n\n <!-- PROSE A -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Ask merchants what matters in a logistics partner and rates come first. No surprise there. What comes next is the interesting part: the ability to scale during peak, then technology that shows them where things are, then a single provider covering shipping, freight, and warehousing. Four of the five things merchants weigh have nothing to do with price.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PARTNER CRITERIA \u2014 stacked importance chart -->\n <div class=\"cost-chart-wrap on-white reveal\">\n <div class=\"chart-title\">How important would each of the following be in a 3PL or logistics partner?<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-legend\">\n <span class=\"stack-key\"><span class=\"stack-swatch s1\"><\/span>Very important<\/span>\n <span class=\"stack-key\"><span class=\"stack-swatch s2\"><\/span>Important<\/span>\n <span class=\"stack-key\"><span class=\"stack-swatch s3\"><\/span>Somewhat important or less<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Better carrier rates<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg s1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:52%\">52%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:36%\">36%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:12%\">12%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Ability to scale during peak<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg s1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:41%\">41%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:41%\">41%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:18%\">18%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Technology with real-time visibility<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg s1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:40%\">40%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:40%\">40%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:20%\">20%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">One provider for shipping, freight, and warehousing<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg s1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:36%\">36%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:38%\">38%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:26%\">26%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-row\">\n <div class=\"stack-label\">Offers shipping\/logistics expertise I don\u2019t have<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-track\">\n <div class=\"stack-seg s1 bar-delay-1\" style=\"width:35%\">35%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s2 bar-delay-2\" style=\"width:40%\">40%<\/div>\n <div class=\"stack-seg s3 bar-delay-3\" style=\"width:25%\">25%<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"data-callout\">\n <strong>74%<\/strong> call a single provider for shipping, freight, and warehousing important or very important\u2014and <strong>88%<\/strong> say the same of better carrier rates.\n <\/div>\n <p style=\"font-size:0.75rem;color:var(--gray-400);margin-top:1.2rem;font-style:italic;\">\n ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Survey \u00b7 the grey band combines \u201csomewhat important,\u201d \u201cnot very important,\u201d and \u201cnot at all important\u201d\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE B \u2014 why reliability and visibility rank high -->\n <div class=\"prose-block between tight\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">There\u2019s a reason reliability and visibility rank so high. Merchants can see their customers sorting them into two groups.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- LOYALTY STAT -->\n <div class=\"statement-stat reveal\">\n <div class=\"ss-num\" data-target=\"40\" data-suffix=\"%\">0%<\/div>\n <div class=\"ss-body\">\n <div class=\"ss-label\">of merchants say their brand experience has earned them more customer loyalty.<\/div>\n <p class=\"ss-desc\">Merchants who compete on experience\u2014fast, reliable shipping, clear tracking\u2014are pulling ahead of those who can only compete on price.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE C \u2014 loyalty, then the switching motive -->\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Loyalty is polarizing, and shipping is where the difference gets delivered: orders arriving when promised, tracking that answers questions before the customer asks.<\/p>\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Cost still opens the door. Price wins the first conversation. Platform wins the long term. But look at who isn\u2019t motivated by price: the larger the business, the more likely it buys on technology and visibility. That\u2019s the tell. Merchants who can afford to buy on capability do. The rest buy on price, which is what you do when consolidation isn\u2019t on the menu.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- STAT CLUSTER \u2014 price vs capability -->\n <div class=\"market-grid stat-cluster\">\n <div class=\"market-card reveal\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">32%<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">would consider a new logistics firm primarily to save money<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">The top reason merchants would switch, ahead of scaling faster, consolidating vendors, or bringing expertise in-house.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card reveal reveal-delay-1\">\n <div class=\"market-card-big\"><span class=\"pct\">3\u00d7<\/span><\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-label\">more likely to choose a partner for technology and visibility<\/div>\n <div class=\"market-card-desc\">Businesses with more than 50 employees versus those with fewer than 10. The gap between tech-enabled and non-tech-enabled is widening.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- PROSE D \u2014 the corroborating research, in prose -->\n <div class=\"prose-block between\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">Asked directly whether they\u2019d consolidate, merchants don\u2019t hesitate. In separate research conducted by McKinsey, roughly seven in ten said they\u2019d move to a single platform that handles both parcel and freight if it met their needs. Among ShipStation customers specifically, six in ten called improving their LTL shipping a high or very high priority (ShipStation Global\/Worldwide Express \u00b7 McKinsey Survey, Dec. 2025).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- BANNER \u2014 after 05 -->\n<div class=\"pull-quote\">\n <p>The demand isn\u2019t hypothetical, and it isn\u2019t new. What\u2019s been missing is a place where both halves of shipping live together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 06\u2014THE SHIPSTATION SOLUTION\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"section solution-section\" id=\"solution\">\n <div class=\"section-inner\" style=\"position:relative\">\n <span class=\"section-label\">06: The ShipStation Solution<\/span>\n <h2>Parcel. Freight. <em>One platform.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"section-intro\">\n ShipStation now supports LTL freight shipping alongside parcel\u2014so you can quote, book, and track every shipment from a single dashboard, in the same place you already manage your parcel orders. No more toggling between systems. No more rate comparisons you never got to run.\n <\/p>\n\n <div class=\"prose-block\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">And it isn\u2019t a niche addition: more than 15,000 merchants already on ShipStation ship at volumes where LTL makes sense (ShipStation Global\/Worldwide Express \u00b7 Customer Mix Analysis, Dec. 2025).<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"solution-grid\">\n <div class=\"solution-card reveal\">\n <div class=\"solution-icon\"><svg width=\"44\" height=\"44\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_rateshopper_icon)\">\n<path d=\"M60 44H56V42H58V31.41L48.59 22H44V42H46V44H42V20H49.41L60 30.59V44Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M43 44H28V42H42V17H15V42H18V44H14L13 43V16L14 15H43L44 16V43L43 44Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M49 21H43V31H59L49 21Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M59 32H43L42 31V21L43 20H49L49.71 20.29L59.71 30.29L59 32ZM44 30H56.59L48.59 22H44V30Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M18 33H4V35H18V33Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M21 27H7V29H21V27Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M24 21H10V23H24V21Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M23 48C25.7614 48 28 45.7614 28 43C28 40.2386 25.7614 38 23 38C20.2386 38 18 40.2386 18 43C18 45.7614 20.2386 48 23 48Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M23 49C19.69 49 17 46.31 17 43C17 39.69 19.69 37 23 37C26.31 37 29 39.69 29 43C29 46.31 26.31 49 23 49ZM23 39C20.79 39 19 40.79 19 43C19 45.21 20.79 47 23 47C25.21 47 27 45.21 27 43C27 40.79 25.21 39 23 39Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M51 48C53.7614 48 56 45.7614 56 43C56 40.2386 53.7614 38 51 38C48.2386 38 46 40.2386 46 43C46 45.7614 48.2386 48 51 48Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M51 49C47.69 49 45 46.31 45 43C45 39.69 47.69 37 51 37C54.31 37 57 39.69 57 43C57 46.31 54.31 49 51 49ZM51 39C48.79 39 47 40.79 47 43C47 45.21 48.79 47 51 47C53.21 47 55 45.21 55 43C55 40.79 53.21 39 51 39Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M33.4499 33.2001H28.9499L27.3999 31.8V30.1H29.3999V30.92L29.7199 31.2001H32.6799L32.9999 30.91V29.2901L32.6799 29H28.9499L27.3999 27.6101V24.2001L28.9499 22.8H33.4499L34.9999 24.1901V25.9H32.9999V25.09L32.6799 24.8H29.7199L29.3999 25.08V26.71L29.7199 27H33.4499L34.9999 28.39V31.81L33.4499 33.2001Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M32.2 21H30.2V23.8H32.2V21Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M32.2 32.2H30.2V35H32.2V32.2Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<\/g>\n<defs>\n<clipPath id=\"clip0_rateshopper_icon\">\n<rect width=\"64\" height=\"64\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg><\/div>\n <div>\n <h3>Real-time LTL rate quotes<\/h3>\n <p>Real-time LTL rate quotes through the Worldwide Express carrier network, inside ShipStation. Compare rates without leaving your workflow.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"solution-card reveal reveal-delay-1\">\n <div class=\"solution-icon\"><svg width=\"44\" height=\"44\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_pallet_icon)\">\n<path d=\"M60 52.1099V49.8899H4V52.1099H8V54.8899H4V57.1099H60V54.8899H56V52.1099H60ZM14 52.1099H29V54.8899H14V52.1099ZM50 54.8899H35V52.1099H50V54.8899Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M52 48L53 47V29L52 28H34L33 29V47L34 48H52ZM35 30H51V46H35V30Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M30 48L31 47V29L30 28H12L11 29V47L12 48H30ZM13 30H29V46H13V30Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M30 26L31 25V7L30 6H12L11 7V25L12 26H30ZM13 8H29V24H13V8Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M52 26L53 25V7L52 6H34L33 7V25L34 26H52ZM35 8H51V24H35V8Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M24 28H18V37H24V28Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M24 6H18V15H24V6Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M46 6H40V15H46V6Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<path d=\"M46 28H40V37H46V28Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<\/g>\n<defs>\n<clipPath id=\"clip0_pallet_icon\">\n<rect width=\"64\" height=\"64\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg><\/div>\n <div>\n <h3>Book and manage LTL orders<\/h3>\n <p>Book and manage LTL orders, set up pickup instructions, and handle commodities from the same place you manage parcel.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"solution-card reveal reveal-delay-2\">\n <div class=\"solution-icon\"><svg width=\"44\" height=\"44\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<rect x=\"41.11\" y=\"33.68\" width=\"2\" height=\"16.86\" transform=\"translate(-17.44 42.11) rotate(-45)\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/rect>\n<path d=\"M23.15,42.15c-10.48,0-19-8.52-19-19S12.67,4.15,23.15,4.15s19,8.52,19,19-8.52,19-19,19ZM23.15,6.15c-9.37,0-17,7.63-17,17s7.63,17,17,17,17-7.63,17-17S32.52,6.15,23.15,6.15Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<g>\n<rect x=\"44.96\" y=\"37.19\" width=\"7.07\" height=\"22.63\" transform=\"translate(-20.09 48.5) rotate(-45)\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/rect>\n<path d=\"M54.71,59.71h-1.41l-16-16v-1.41l5-5h1.41l16,16v1.41l-5,5ZM39.41,43l14.59,14.59,3.59-3.59-14.59-14.59-3.59,3.59Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<\/g>\n<path d=\"M23.69,36.72h-1.38c-.06-.05-5.66-5.42-7.79-7.52-2.27-2.24-3.52-5.21-3.52-8.37s1.25-6.14,3.52-8.37c4.68-4.6,12.28-4.6,16.96,0h0c2.27,2.24,3.52,5.21,3.52,8.37s-1.25,6.14-3.52,8.37c-2.13,2.1-7.73,7.46-7.79,7.52ZM23,11c-2.56,0-5.13.96-7.08,2.88-1.89,1.86-2.92,4.32-2.92,6.95s1.04,5.09,2.92,6.95c1.67,1.65,5.5,5.33,7.08,6.83,1.57-1.51,5.41-5.19,7.08-6.83,1.89-1.86,2.92-4.32,2.92-6.95s-1.04-5.09-2.92-6.95h0c-1.95-1.92-4.51-2.88-7.08-2.88Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<g>\n<circle cx=\"23\" cy=\"21\" r=\"4\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/circle>\n<path d=\"M23,26c-2.76,0-5-2.24-5-5s2.24-5,5-5,5,2.24,5,5-2.24,5-5,5ZM23,18c-1.65,0-3,1.35-3,3s1.35,3,3,3,3-1.35,3-3-1.35-3-3-3Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<\/g>\n<\/svg><\/div>\n <div>\n <h3>Real-time shipment tracking<\/h3>\n <p>Every freight shipment tracked alongside your parcel orders in one view. No separate logins, no carrier portals.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"solution-card reveal reveal-delay-3\">\n <div class=\"solution-icon\"><svg width=\"44\" height=\"44\" viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<path d=\"M49,60H9V10h40v50ZM11,58h36V12H11v46Z\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/path>\n<rect x=\"17\" y=\"25\" width=\"24\" height=\"2\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/rect>\n<rect x=\"17\" y=\"34\" width=\"24\" height=\"2\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/rect>\n<rect x=\"17\" y=\"43\" width=\"17\" height=\"2\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/rect>\n<g>\n<circle cx=\"43\" cy=\"16\" r=\"11\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/circle>\n<path d=\"M43,28c-6.62,0-12-5.38-12-12s5.38-12,12-12,12,5.38,12,12-5.38,12-12,12ZM43,6c-5.51,0-10,4.49-10,10s4.49,10,10,10,10-4.49,10-10-4.49-10-10-10Z\" fill=\"#00E664\"><\/path>\n<\/g>\n<polygon points=\"41.71 20.71 40.29 20.71 36.29 16.71 37.71 15.29 41 18.59 48.29 11.29 49.71 12.71 41.71 20.71\" fill=\"#11003A\"><\/polygon>\n<\/svg><\/div>\n <div>\n <h3>Unified invoicing via ShipStation Pay<\/h3>\n <p>View and pay LTL invoices inside ShipStation. One fewer vendor relationship to manage.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"prose-block\" style=\"margin-top:2rem;\">\n <p class=\"body-copy\">New to freight? You can create an account in-app and get competitive house rates in minutes. LTL support runs through ShipStation\u2019s existing chat, phone, and form channels.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SECTION 8\u2014CTA\n ============================================================ -->\n<section class=\"cta-section\" id=\"get-started\">\n <div class=\"cta-glow\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"cta-inner reveal\">\n <div class=\"cta-eyebrow\">Get Started<\/div>\n <h2 class=\"cta-headline\">Your shipping costs are going up.<br><em>Your complexity doesn\u2019t have to.<\/em><\/h2>\n <p class=\"cta-sub\">Whether you\u2019re new to ShipStation or already using it every day, adding freight is faster than you think.<\/p>\n <div class=\"cta-toggle\">\n <button class=\"toggle-btn active\" onclick=\"showPanel('new')\">New to ShipStation<\/button>\n <button class=\"toggle-btn\" onclick=\"showPanel('existing')\">Already a customer<\/button>\n <\/div>\n <!-- New customer panel -->\n <div class=\"cta-panel visible\" id=\"panel-new\">\n <div class=\"cta-card\">\n <p>Join over 100,000 merchants who use ShipStation to manage parcel and freight from a single dashboard. Free trial. No credit card required.<\/p>\n <ul class=\"steps-list\">\n <li><span class=\"step-num\">1<\/span> Start your free trial\u2014print your first label right away<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"step-num\">2<\/span> Connect your store (Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and 500+ more)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"step-num\">3<\/span> Add LTL freight when you\u2019re ready\u2014no separate account needed<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"cta-btns\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/app.shipstation.com\/register\" class=\"btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\">\n Start Free Trial\n <svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M12 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/demo\" class=\"btn-secondary\" target=\"_blank\">\n Book a Demo\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <!-- Existing customer panel -->\n <div class=\"cta-panel\" id=\"panel-existing\">\n <div class=\"cta-card\">\n <p>Already shipping with ShipStation? LTL freight is available directly inside the platform. Here\u2019s how to turn it on.<\/p>\n <ul class=\"steps-list\">\n <li><span class=\"step-num\">1<\/span> Log into your ShipStation account and look for \u201cLTL Freight\u201d in the shipping options<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"step-num\">2<\/span> Connect an existing Worldwide Express account or create a new one in-app (no prior relationship needed)<\/li>\n <li><span class=\"step-num\">3<\/span> Start quoting and booking freight alongside your parcel orders<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"cta-btns\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/app.shipstation.com\" class=\"btn-primary\" target=\"_blank\">\n Go to My Account\n <svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M12 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <a href=\"https:\/\/help.shipstation.com\" class=\"btn-secondary\" target=\"_blank\">\n LTL Help Center\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<!-- ============================================================\n SOURCES\n ============================================================ -->\n<div class=\"sources-section\">\n <div class=\"sources-inner\">\n <div class=\"sources-title\">Sources & Methodology<\/div>\n <ul class=\"sources-list\">\n <li><strong>[1] ShipStation Global Q2 2026 Merchant Survey<\/strong>\u2014Online survey, n=868 U.S. retail businesses under 500 employees, shipping to customers at least monthly. All percentages are from this source unless otherwise noted. ShipStation Global Inc., Q2 2026.<\/li>\n <li><strong>[2] ShipStation Global\/Worldwide Express \u00b7 McKinsey Survey, December 2025<\/strong>\u2014Internal merchant survey conducted with McKinsey & Company as part of the Worldwide Express\/ShipStation integration planning process. n and methodology not disclosed publicly.<\/li>\n <li><strong>[3] ShipStation Global\/Worldwide Express \u00b7 Customer Mix Analysis, December 2025<\/strong>\u2014Internal analysis of ShipStation and Worldwide Express customer overlap, based on shipping volume and order profiles. ShipStation Global Inc., December 2025.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- FOOTER -->\n<footer class=\"footer-bar\">\n <p>\u00a9 2026 ShipStation Global Inc. All rights reserved. ShipStation is a registered trademark of ShipStation Global Inc. \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/terms-of-service\/\" target=\"_blank\">Terms of Service<\/a><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<!-- SCROLL TO TOP -->\n<button id=\"scroll-top\" onclick=\"window.scrollTo({top:0,behavior:'smooth'})\" title=\"Back to top\">\u2191<\/button>\n<!-- ============================================================\n JAVASCRIPT\n ============================================================ -->\n<script>\n\/* ---- Progress bar ---- *\/\nconst progressBar = document.getElementById('progress-bar');\nconst stickyNav = document.getElementById('sticky-nav');\nconst scrollTopBtn = document.getElementById('scroll-top');\nwindow.addEventListener('scroll', () => {\n const scrolled = window.scrollY;\n const docHeight = document.documentElement.scrollHeight - window.innerHeight;\n progressBar.style.width = 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});\n\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What merchants say they manage freight today, where it fragments, and the second shipping workflow that never caught up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":184,"featured_media":100160,"template":"","categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98225","guides","type-guides","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"shipstation_product_type":["shipstation"],"shipstation_features":"","shipstation_company_size":"","shipstation_industry":"","shipstation_funnel_stage":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>ShipStation's 2026 Merchant Insights Report - ShipStation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An data-driven report on the economic outlook, business sentiment, and shipping challenges of merchants in the retail industry in 2026.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ShipStation's 2026 Merchant Insights Report\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"An data-driven report on the economic outlook, business sentiment, and shipping challenges of merchants in the retail industry in 2026.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/guides\/shipstation-2026-merchant-insights-report\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ShipStation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ShipStation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" 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