What's moving the last-mile market.
Industry news, cost analysis, and operational intelligence for fleet operators — updated continuously.
Retail Hit $752 Billion — Amazon Is Keeping More of the Volume
Strong retail numbers mask an uneven parcel allocation picture — Amazon is internalizing volume while UPS pulls back, leaving regional operators caught between opportunity and margin compression.
Retail Sales Hold at $752B — But Margin Per Stop Is the Real Story
US retail sales held at $752 billion in March 2026, keeping parcel volumes elevated — but strong demand only matters if your rate structure reflects the true cost per stop.
FedEx Is Closing 475 Stations. If Yours Is On the List, Your Fleet Math Just Changed.
FedEx Network 2.0 will close 30% of its facility footprint by 2027. For ISP contractors, that means route reassignment, CSA changes, and fleet sizing decisions driven by a timeline they don't control.
Diesel at $5.61 and Climbing: The Per-Stop Math That Matters
US retail diesel hit $5.61/gallon on April 13 with 7.5% annualized growth projected — operators locked into fixed contracts are absorbing every cent of the increase.
Diesel Won't Wait: $5.61/Gal and the Signal Is Still Climbing
US retail diesel hit $5.61/gal on April 13 with forward signals pointing to another 7.5% annualized move — operators on locked rate cards are absorbing every cent.
Van Freight Fuel Surcharge Gap
Van freight spot rates hit a two-year high while last-mile operators absorb up to $203K per year in unrecovered fuel costs on a 25-van fleet.
Van Freight Spot Rates Just Hit a Two-Year High. The Fuel Math Behind That Number Matters for Last-Mile Operators.
Van spot rates hit $2.52/mile as fuel surcharges surge 52%—revealing how truckload carriers recover diesel costs automatically while last-mile rate cards absorb the full hit.
If You Bought 2025 Ford Transits, Check Your VINs Now. The Brakes May Not Work.
NHTSA Recall 26V090 covers 15,965 2025 Ford Transits with a missing brake booster cotter pin that can cause complete brake failure. Ford's advisory is 'Do Not Drive' affected units — check your VINs before your fleet rolls.
The Next Parts Tariff Wave Is Already in Motion. Here's What Gets Expensive Next.
Collision parts are currently exempt from Section 232's 25% tariff, but the April 14 petition window just closed. If ITA approves inclusions in the 60-day review window, body repair costs rise materially by Q3 2026.
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