Large distributors are reducing spending for industry events, with 37% reporting decreased budgets as they find the returns from such events less compelling compared with smaller firms, according to a Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey. While some companies continue to see value in networking and learning opportunities, others are focusing on targeted events that align with strategic goals and technological needs.

True Value lawyers described the company as "on the brink of collapse" in a recent court filing, and bankruptcy proceedings are impacting vendor relationships and causing inventory issues at retailers. The company's proposed sale to Do it Best may be the best way to prevent layoffs and the closure of distribution centers, with True Value issuing Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications, or WARN notices, in several states. The sale to Do it Best is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The International Monetary Fund has warned against increased global protectionism as the possibility of higher tariffs arises in the US, cautioning such moves could hinder the global growth outlook. The IMF expects the world economy to expand 3.2% this year and the next, but should higher tariffs be implemented those numbers would be reduced by 0.8% in 2025 and 1.3% in 2026.

Retailers in the US are strategizing to safeguard their holiday sales amid the challenges of a tight presidential election and a shorter shopping season. Companies like Macy's, Lululemon, Skechers and Academy Sports & Outdoors are rolling out early sales, introducing new products and adjusting promotional strategies to attract cautious consumers. Despite a forecasted growth in holiday spending, the anticipated increase is lower than previous years, with many shoppers seeking discounts due to financial strain.

US-based manufacturers today face significant supply chain challenges, including rising costs, equipment outages, supplier disruptions, labor shortages and a volatile foreign trade environment. To build resilience, companies should enhance visibility, diversify suppliers and onshore key processes and harness new technologies like AI and robotics, writes operations specialist ​​Annette Harris.

The overall number of female drivers holding commercial driver licenses in the US declined from 12% in 2022 to 9.5% in 2023, according to the WIT Index, but there are hopeful signs ahead, including the relatively large number of female drivers at businesses with fewer than 500 employees. The profession offers multiple benefits including competitive pay and flexible schedules, writes Brian Everett, strategic counsel to the Women in Trucking Association.

Food producers are increasingly using internet of things solutions to enhance supply chain transparency and sustainability. These technologies enable real-time tracking of food products from field to consumer, improving safety and compliance with FDA standards. By integrating IoT hardware with AI-driven software, companies can achieve 99.9% data accuracy, reduce food waste and ensure freshness. The investment in such technology, though initially costly, offers long-term savings and competitive advantages and aids in sustainability efforts by optimizing logistics and reducing carbon footprints through efficient resource management.

B2B buyers are increasingly swayed by personal decision drivers, with 52% indicating that factors such as feeling safe with a vendor, value alignment and gaining new knowledge impact their purchase decisions, according to a Dentsu survey. The research highlights a decline in thought leadership among B2B brands, with only 24% of buyers considering them active thought leaders in 2024, a drop from 31% in 2022.

A new strategy to enhance employee performance evaluations focuses on eliminating surprises through regular catch-ups, simplifying tasks to optimize strengths and fostering a future-focused mindset that encourages dreaming. These measures can transform performance reviews into opportunities for growth and motivation, creating a more positive workplace environment.

US corporate default risk fell during the third quarter, with the median default probability decreasing in seven out of 11 sectors and remaining stable in the rest, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The oil-and-gas equipment and services and publishing sectors continue to face the highest default risk. The total number of defaults in the first nine months of 2024 is 67, which is 10 fewer than the same period last year.

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