The US Postal Service will reinstate peak season rate hikes for 2024, with price increases for Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express starting Oct. 6. The hikes, paused in 2023, are expected to generate over $77 million in additional revenue and help cover extra handling costs.

The timing of peak shopping is getting flatter for a number of reasons, including changes to sellers' promotional strategies, consumer price sensitivity and retailers' moves to ensure delivery times by using earlier and cheaper options. Retailers are "managing the expectations of the consumer, but that's coupled with supply chain changes and with considerations of the cost," says Helaine Rich, vice president of strategic sales and administration at ePostGlobal.

Fasteners distributor Field Fastener has acquired Oregon-based Cascade Nut and Bolt, a distributor of standard and metric fasteners serving the Pacific Northwest region. Cascade President Tom Boline will transition to sales leader to grow the structural market and Field's footprint in the region.

AI and ML are becoming essential tools for supply chain management, with 63% of high-growth companies already integrating Gen AI to address cost and operational challenges. AI-driven solutions, such as Coupa's Supply Chain Prescriptions, provide actionable insights to reduce expenses and carbon emissions, and as AI adoption grows, businesses can expect improved demand forecasting, enhanced visibility and more sustainable operations.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has given the go-ahead for a $52 million on-dock rail project, which aims to enhance the port's logistics and transportation infrastructure. The project is expected to significantly improve cargo handling efficiency and reduce congestion, contributing to the regional economy's growth.

Eighty-eight percent of business-to-business marketers want to boost personalization with AI, and 84% think the technology is key for making improvements, according to an ON24 report. The top areas for personalization are sales, content recommendations and email marketing.

St. Benedict of Nursia, in the 6th century, established the "Rule of Saint Benedict," which author Oliver Burkeman recommends leaders should still follow because it provides "a sort of model of moderation and rhythm that finds time for work, time for prayer, and time for rest." Under Benedict's rules, monks work until an appointed time, then stop and move on to other activities of life, which can help those of us in the modern era "develop that willingness to do your part for the day and declare that you have done enough," Burkeman concludes.

Ferguson Enterprises has developed a dual-platform digital strategy featuring two web domains -- ferguson.com and build.com -- as well as a robust rewards system to fulfill different customer needs, create a competitive edge and improve customer retention, writes industry expert John Gunderson. Build.com focuses on providing a self-service platform for pre-research and product selection, creating a seamless transition to Ferguson's full-service team, while ferguson.com is an ecommerce tool for contractors, and the ProPlus+ rewards program incentivizes online purchases and strengthens business-to-business relationships.

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