Seasonally adjusted sales for merchant wholesalers reached $674.8 billion in September, marking a 0.3% monthly increase, according to Census Bureau data. Inventory levels stood at $903.7 billion, down 0.2% from August but 0.3% higher year-over-year. The inventories-to-sales ratio inched lower in September to 1.34, slightly up from 1.33 a year earlier.

Minnesota-based DSG has expanded its operations into Illinois by acquiring Peoria Pump, a distributor of pumps and geothermal supplies. This acquisition marks DSG's entry into its ninth state in the Midwest and Great Plains region. Peoria Pump, established in 1947, will continue to operate under its current name with plans for future rebranding.

Private equity is playing a significant role in the current wave of mergers and acquisitions within the distribution sector, with PE firms driving up to two-thirds of recent deals. MDM's Mike Hockett spoke with Kevin Sargent, of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, about PE's involvement in distribution, including what PE firms are focused on in the industry and how to make your business more attractive. Despite market uncertainties, M&A activity has remained robust.

As ecommerce and global trade expand, the need for internet of things in warehouse management is also set to grow to $17.8 billion by 2030 from $6.7 billion in 2023, according to ResearchandMarkets. IoT solutions such as RFID tags and connected sensors are essential for real-time inventory tracking, operational efficiency and supply chain visibility.

Demand forecasting approaches for new products are likely to fail if they don't recognize how general assumptions about the overall product family may not make sense for new SKUs, according to professors at the University of Tennessee Knoxville's Global Supply Chain Institute. Adequate training is essential to prevent SKU-level spread bias, along with a collaborative approach, they write, while suggesting measures such as carefully planning safety stock levels and refraining from overly optimistic forecasts for lower-demand SKUs.

Influencer marketing is rapidly expanding in the B2B sector, with 75% of businesses already engaging in it, as reported by Ogilvy. This growth highlights the increasing recognition of its value in driving awareness and engagement in B2B markets. Companies are advised to strategically select influencers and align their campaigns with business goals to maximize effectiveness.

While feedback is crucial for employee development, it can be damaging if not handled correctly, says career coach Madhu Maron, who emphasizes the need for trust and specificity in feedback. Maron also recommends structured approaches such as 360-degree feedback to enhance its effectiveness and prevent feedback from becoming demoralizing.

Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election and Republicans' victory in the Senate are expected to play a key role in the future of tax policy. The wins come at a crucial time, as provisions in the 2017 tax law are scheduled to expire during the next administration. Trump floated a number of additional tax proposals during his campaign, including calling for the elimination of taxes on Social Security.

Leadership development programs can fail for reasons ranging from a lack of focus on capabilities to a lack of measurement on ROI, writes Michael Peterman, a senior partner at RHR International. "Each component of a high-impact development program should link directly to the core capabilities of enterprise leadership," Peterman writes.

Navigating the workplace after the presidential election can challenge even the most seasoned communicators, but experts recommend following five principles for clear communication that include stressing civility, safety, support and a refocusing on the company's collective goals and mission. "Communicators considering a postelection communication should be prepared for heightened emotions and various reactions to the outcome," says Megan Noel, global president of corporate affairs at Golin.

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