Warehouse Cramming Is About to Begin
FreightWaves hosts Zach Strickland and Anthony Smith recently discussed the upcoming pressure on warehouse space in an episode of their podcast Freightonomics. They were joined by Zac Rogers, a researcher from Colorado State University, who spoke about the seasonal shift in storage demand that occurs each year as retailers prepare for the holiday season.
According to the discussion, many warehouses and distribution centers are preparing to receive large volumes of goods in the coming weeks. This period, often referred to as “cram time,” requires facilities to manage tighter space constraints and coordinate more closely with carriers to keep freight moving efficiently.
Zac Rogers explained that the timing of inventory movements plays a significant role in how much pressure warehouses experience. When retailers bring in stock earlier in the season, it can help spread out the load. When they wait until later, it creates concentrated demand for both storage and transportation services.
From a driver standpoint, this seasonal pattern affects daily operations in several ways. More freight moving into and out of facilities can lead to longer wait times at docks, increased congestion around distribution centers, and changes in appointment availability. Drivers who regularly deliver to or pick up from warehouses may find themselves navigating tighter schedules and more competition for loading slots.
The conversation also covered the allm