WERC’s 2026 DC Measures Report Addresses Strategic Paradox
The warehousing and distribution industry is navigating one of its most complex moments in recent memory. Rising cost pressures, evolving customer expectations, and the accelerating promise of AI are converging to force a fundamental question: Is your operation’s strategy aligned with what your team is actually doing? For many organizations, the 2026 DC Measures Report, newly released by the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC), suggests the answer is complicated.
Introducing the 2026 DC Measures Report
WERC unveiled the 2026 DC Measures Report in May during WERC 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. Titled “The Strategic Paradox: Aligning Strategy to Drive Innovation in a Cost-First Era,” this year’s report reflects an industry at an inflection point. It is the go-to benchmarking resource for supply chain and distribution professionals, tracking 36 key operational metrics across warehouse and distribution center operations of every size, industry, and geography.
This Year’s Big Finding: The Strategic Paradox
The headline finding of the 2026 report is striking: nearly half of all respondents (48.6%) identified cost reduction as their primary organizational goal. This is problematic in an environment where accelerated digital transformation remains imperative to achieve efficiency goals. The report identifies the disconnect between cost cutting and innovation goals, stating: “When a company presents itself as an “Innovator” but acts solely as a ‘Cost-Cutter,’ the resulting internal friction often cause technological adoption to fail.”
Shaped by Real Voices Across the Industry
The 2026 DC Measures Report is grounded in survey data collected from hundreds of distribution professionals in 2025 and 2026. Respondents spanned a wide range of industries and operations, including:
• Manufacturing (28.4%)
• Third-party warehouses (21.6%)
• Wholesale/distributors (20.5%)
• Retail (20.5%)
• Life sciences and transportation services (5.7%)
International participation grew this year, with 17.2% of respondents located outside North America. Companies ranged from small operations to enterprises with more than $1 billion in annual sales.
Why Benchmarking Is Essential Right Now
Benchmarking is about knowing where you stand so you can make confident decisions. The 2026 DC Measures Report tracks 36 operational metrics spanning customer service, quality, inbound operations, capacity, and employee performance. The top five most widely used metrics this year were on-time shipments, dock-to-stock cycle time, average warehouse capacity used, peak warehouse capacity used, and backorders as a percentage of total lines.
For each metric, the report presents performance benchmarks on a quintile scale, giving readers a clear picture of median performance and what constitutes best practice . It’s a powerful tool for identifying where your operation excels and where there is room to improve.
Customize Reports with Online Benchmarking Tool
Alongside the new report, WERC has updated its Online Benchmarking Tool with the latest 2026 data. This dynamic digital platform gives flexible access to more than a decade of DC Measures data, with the ability to customize reports to meet specific internal evaluation needs. It’s the ideal companion to the report for teams that want to go deeper and compare their performance against the industry over time.
Access the DC Measures Report Today
The 2026 DC Measures Report is complimentary for MHI members and can be downloaded from the MHI Member Hub. It’s also complimentary for WERC Corporate Members. If your organization is already a WERC Corporate Member, simply log in to the WERC store and download your copy Individual WERC members can purchase the report for the member rate of $200; non-members can purchase it for $550, or bundle it with a WERC Membership for $500.
Not yet a WERC Corporate Member? For just $2,900, a WERC Corporate Membership gives your entire team access to the benchmarking resources, educational programming, and professional network that can help transform your operations. Members receive the DC Measures Report for free, along with a complimentary license to the Online Benchmarking Tool for the primary contact on the account. To learn more about membership, visit werc.org/join or contact membership@werc.org.
In a volatile environment where the difference between strategic intent and operational reality can determine whether your organization thrives or struggles, the 2026 DC Measures Report gives you the data to close that gap.
Join WERC’s 2026 DC Measures Webinar
This interactive session on June 15 will dive into the 2026 DC Measures Report. Register to attend and learn how the report can help your day-to-day operations.
