The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors filed an amicus brief in Iowa v. SEC, the court case in which Iowa and dozens of states are challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission's climate disclosure regulations. NAW Chief Government Affairs Officer Brian Wild called the rule "another instance of federal overreach" and pointed to a "growing anti-business attitude" in the nation's capital. "The added pressures from the downstream impacts of the SEC rule only worsens challenges for employers grappling with record inflation and an increasingly burdensome regulatory environment," Wild said.

MDM Executive Editor Mike Hockett examines the publication's 2024 Top Distributors List, highlighting the industry's growing trend of diversification. Among the highest-revenue North American distributors, many appear on multiple category lists after expansion through acquisition and organic growth. Diversification is expected to continue in the highly fragmented and evolving industry.

The US economy in June grew at a pace not seen in more than two years, according to S&P Global's latest flash Purchasing Managers' Index. The flash services PMI reached a 26-month high of 55.1, sending the composite output index to 54.6, the highest reading since April 2022. The manufacturing PMI hit a three-month high of 51.7 in June.

Amazon is replacing plastic air pillows with recycled paper for packaging in North America due to environmental concerns and better performance, having already replaced 95% of them with plans for complete removal by the end of the year. This initiative, the largest plastic packaging reduction effort by Amazon in North America, will eliminate nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows annually and is being positively received by environmental groups, though some still urge further action.

Walmart is joining other grocers including Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and Schnuck Markets in using electronic shelf labels in an effort to increase productivity, reduce employee walking time and make for more efficient restocking of shelves. "They can actually be used where you take your mobile device and you scan it and it can give you more information about the product -- whether it's the sourcing of the product, whether it's gluten-free, whether it's keto-friendly," said grocery industry analyst Phil Lempert.

This year, safety and compliance are top concerns for trucking fleet managers, with nearly 60% focusing on the need for drivers to know how to safely operate vehicles and 64% noting continuous efforts to improve safety. Prioritizing hours-of-service compliance has also risen significantly, now cited by 33% of managers as a major concern, due to violations comprising 40% of roadside infractions in 2023.

AI can make sales management more efficient by offering individualized trainings for salespeople, automating administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings and personalizing emails and providing data-driven insights that can help clear pipeline bottlenecks and make forecasting more accurate, according to Michelle Morgan, research manager of Sales Force Productivity and Performance. Morgan notes, however, that these initiatives require leadership buy-in and active participation in the implementation stage.

Economists are expecting the personal consumption expenditures price index to be flat in May from the prior month, according to median projections from a Bloomberg survey. The index, which is expected to climb just 2.6% from the prior year, could give Federal Reserve officials a greater degree of confidence that inflation is easing. The index is due out on Friday.

Growling and gruffness under pressure give an appearance of bluster not leadership. It's more effective to use mental toughness to stay calm, leadership expert LaRae Quy writes, offering four ways to exhibit that, such as managing emotions, prioritizing tasks and planning for when things go wrong.

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