As Online Orders Soar, Driver Shortage Stalls Supply Chain

As the coronavirus outbreak drives online sales for many essential products, the demand for truck drivers continues to swell. But, as previously reported, the U.S. faces a shortage of truck drivers, which is impacting product shipments to fulfillment centers as well as for last-mile deliveries. And one industry trade association said today that the government is not helping the situation by closing CDL and state DMV training facilities. Looking at online orders, shoppers remain in a “necessity mind-set” with food, beverage and tobacco products showing a 79 percent year-over-year increase, according to the most recent data from Bazaarvoice. Total online order counts is up 16 percent. Other categories showing robust online order count gains include sporting goods, up 73 percent, and toys and games, up 43 percent. “Apparel and accessories had no change in page views, but saw an 8 percent decrease in order count,” the firm said in their report. In regard to the trucker shortage, industry sources have said last-mile delivery continues to be plagued by several factors, including younger-aged workers who are not licensed and don’t want to drive and an aging fleet of drivers who fear contracting COVID-19. With the drivers of larger rigs, which require a CDL, an aging

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