What Amazon/UPS/FedEx shifts mean for European retailers in 2026

Imagine this: you’re a retail executive enjoying a steady partnership with a major parcel carrier, when suddenly the ground shifts beneath your feet. In 2026, that’s not a hypothetical scenario, it’s exactly what’s happening in the delivery world. UPS is dramatically cutting the volume of Amazon packages it carries, FedEx is overhauling its network and even delivering on Sundays, and upstart regional carriers like OnTrac and Veho are racing to fill gaps with new services. It’s a wake-up call for European merchants: the era of relying on a single carrier is over. In a volatile market, ​​ multi‑carrier contingency isn’t just a cost hack, it’s a strategic necessity for resilience and growth.