Logistics operators like Amazon, Target and Walmart are maintaining their seasonal hiring plans at levels similar to last year, anticipating a subdued holiday shopping season that reflects an uncertain retail economy. UPS is increasing its hires to 125,000 due to a shorter peak season between Black Friday and Christmas, USPS is reducing its hires and FedEx has not yet disclosed its plans.

Do it Best's plan to acquire True Value's assets amid its bankruptcy is the co-op's chance to secure True Value's brand, inventory, customer relationships and distribution centers, says Do it Best CEO Dan Starr. Starr outlines the potential deal and future plans, noting that the co-op model will remain unchanged and True Value customers may continue as non-member customers, but adding it "doesn't make a whole lot of sense to run two different companies" and the company has to "map out a path where we bring all those ends together."

According to a KPMG survey, Mexico is set to overtake Canada as the second-most popular country for nearshoring, with its share of US-serving supply chains expected to rise to 36%. This shift is part of a broader trend where companies are moving away from globalized sourcing towards localized supply chains to mitigate vulnerabilities exposed by recent crises. The US and Canada's shares are expected to decrease, while Mexico's manufacturing base and low labor costs, along with its participation in the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, provide it with significant advantages.

US retail sales, excluding gas and autos, decreased 0.32% in September from the previous month but increased 0.55% from the same month last year, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions. This marks the first monthly decline since January 2024, attributed to factors like geopolitical tensions and inflation. "After seven consecutive months of gains, consumers pulled back a bit in September, which is historically a soft month for retail sales," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

The construction and industrial sectors are undergoing a demographic shift as younger, tech-savvy tradespeople become primary buyers as up to 50% of skilled tradespeople are set to retire in the next decade. SPARXiQ CEO David Bauders highlights how these younger tradespeople, who are active on platforms like Trade Hounds, prefer digital interactions and user-generated content over traditional sales methods, and distributors must adapt to these preferences by enhancing their digital presence, focusing on user-generated content and embracing social selling to stay competitive.

Global demand for commodities and raw materials decreased significantly in September, according to the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index, which also found year-to-date lows in North American factory activity. "With the potential of a widening war in the Middle East impacting oil and the possibility of more tariffs and trade barriers in the new year, manufacturers should prioritize agility and resilience in their procurement and supply chains," said GEP COO Jagadish Turimella.

Optimism among global business leaders increased 7% in the third quarter of 2024, according to a Dun & Bradstreet report that cites favorable borrowing conditions and abating inflation as factors. However, supply chain diversification remains a priority amid geopolitical unrest, an increase in data requirements and demanding regulatory developments.

An MIT Sloan study reveals a significant link between DNA and sales performance, suggesting that genetic traits can predict sales success more effectively than personality traits. The research highlights the role of a "sales gene" in enhancing adaptive learning, allowing salespeople to quickly understand customer needs. Entrepreneurs can leverage this insight by focusing on adaptive learning techniques to improve sales.

Actions supply chain leaders took during the pandemic to increase resilience, such as regionalization and nearshoring, along with investing in digitization, made a difference but are in danger of stalling out, write McKinsey analysts. The best actions to take to maintain momentum are focusing on talent development, adopting AI faster, engaging board members more directly in supply chain matters and "approaching data quality with the 80/20 rule by pressing on with the implementation of digital tools once most data are available, with processes in place to fix the gaps later," they write.

Effective feedback delivery is crucial for managers, according to business school research. The right approaches -- such as using neutral language to prevent emotional reactions -- can transform feedback into a constructive tool for dialogue and employee development.

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