The personal consumption expenditures price index in the US increased 0.2% in December, maintaining the annual inflation increase below 3% for the third month in a row. The PCE price index increased 2.6% in the 12 months to December, which could encourage the Federal Reserve to start cutting rates in the coming months.
Demand for massive warehousing space of 1 million square feet or more dropped in 2023, from 63 such leases in 2022 to 43 last year, according to data from CBRE. Economic uncertainty and changing inventory management practices have weighed on demand for large-scale warehouse facilities, with traditional retailers and wholesalers signing just 30 of the largest 100 leases last year, down from 53 the year before. Meanwhile, third-party logistics companies signed 29 of the top 100 leases in 2023, up from 11 a year earlier.
Wholesale distributor-focused publisher Modern Distribution Management was acquired by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors this week. MDM Executive Editor Mike Hockett took a moment to share what the deal means for MDM's content moving forward and detailed the way the partnership can better serve distributors. Hocket said MDM's coverage of the entire industry will continue "but with more firepower," and noted NAW's reach would provide more resources and a deeper pool of insights.
How manufacturers can automate with AI Cloud resources remain a vital tool for manufacturers, but on-site edge devices are now capable of AI inferencing to help reduce latency, save on bandwidth costs, and allow businesses to retain full ownership of their data. Join experts from Red Hat, OnLogic, and Guise AI, as they discuss AI in factory automation. Register now.
Distributors should blend automation, technology and human expertise when investing in warehouse optimization, which helps improve efficiency, effectiveness, layout and processes to reduce costs and maximize productivity, writes Tom Behnke of Boxzooka. Some best practices include designing a layout to increase efficiency, understanding staffing requirements, identifying technology gaps and creating automation strategies, Behnke writes.
Mobile engagement and commerce can help distributors drive effective marketing strategies, provide a better customer service experience and increase an organization's growth and success, writes Pierre Barbeau, co-founder of Moblico. The use of mobile devices for customer service increases transactions and customer loyalty by offering instant communication and feedback gathering through various engagement channels, including text messaging, web chats, social media and push notifications, Barbeau writes.
LinkedIn's US ad revenues will increase 14.1% in 2024 to total $4.56 billion, predicts Insider Intelligence, which is double that of Snap and four times higher than X, formerly Twitter. Growth is being propelled by factors such as increased usage among Generation Z and business experts who share solid advice and tips while building sizable followings, writes Jasmine Enberg, a principal analyst at Insider Intelligence.
Credit conditions are loosening as US Treasury yields retreat, and businesses and individuals are taking advantage of the borrowing opportunity. The Wall Street Journal examined eight charts that detail the current state of credit in the US, from rising corporate bond issuance and increased consumer borrowing to a drop in secured bond issuance. Despite long-standing recession concerns, some indicators suggest the economy and credit markets may be at the beginning of a cycle of growth and expansion.
Employers can foster staff engagement, productivity and satisfaction by focusing on positive culture for both the overall company and individual teams. Corporate culture is normally a set of goals, priorities and practices handed down from above, but "team culture is actually how an employee experiences work and their environment daily, not just a standard set by the CEO that everyone needs to follow," says chief executive officer Archer Chiang of the AI company Giftpack.
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