Werner’s Leathers expects strongest peak shipping season since COVID-19 pandemic

Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers has signaled that the upcoming peak shipping season—typically running from August through late October or early November—is poised to be the strongest for trucking since the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the Deutsche Bank Chicago Industrials Summit on August 11, 2026, Leathers reported that retailers are restocking inventories at normal or above-normal levels, driven by resilient consumer demand and heavy purchasing from discount retailers. This surge in freight volumes comes as truckload capacity tightens, with rejection rates holding steady at around 14% in July, a level indicating a very tight market. Werner’s dedicated contract carriage fleet, which accounts for 80% of its truckload operations, moves over 70% of its freight in retail merchandise, groceries, and consumer goods. The company’s January 2026 acquisition of FirstFleet has further strengthened its position in the retail sector, adding 2,400 tractors, 11,000 trailers, and 37 properties across 130 customer sites in the U.S. Leathers emphasized that while inflation and slowing rate increases remain challenges, Werner remains optimistic about peak-season demand, expecting activity to return to more typical levels this fall. The executive noted that discount retail exposure is a key driver of this optimism, as consumers continue to prioritize value amid rising prices. Despite July historically being a slow month for carriers, the tight capacity and strong freight demand underscore the robust outlook for the upcoming peak season.