News / Despite slow demand and falling rates, supply chains still cost a packet

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Although freight rates retreated in most modes last year, supply chains remained eye-wateringly expensive.

According to the State of Logistics report, by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, US firms saw their logistics costs surge to almost 10% of national GDP.

The report, produced with findings from consultancy AT Kearney, notes that logistics costs soared 19.6% last year, to $2.3trn – 9.1% of US GDP.

Far and away the biggest factor was inventory and carrying cost, which almost doubled, going up 90.2%, ...