Twenty-five mergers and acquisition transactions involving distributors in building supply, industrial and commercial hard goods sectors were logged in December, down from 31 in November and 36 a year ago. Notable deals included Builders FirstSource's acquisition of Alpine Lumber and Patient Square Capital's $4.1 billion purchase of Patterson Cos. Transactions for the year totaled 346, up from 304 in 2023, according to MDM data.

Schaedler Yesco Distribution, an electrical products distributor, has purchased a 57,000-square-foot building in Harrisburg, Pa., to serve as its headquarters, moving from a location 10 miles away. The move, expected to be completed by June, will allow the company to expand warehouse space and add automation at the previous site.

US retail sales increased 3.8% from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, surpassing last year's 3.1% rise, according to Mastercard. Online sales grew 6.7% year over year, with consumers spending more on apparel, jewelry and electronics. Major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart saw record sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, while sales at Target and Best Buy were not similarly robust.

B2B buyers increasingly demand digital solutions, with 80% of sales interactions expected online by 2025. However, many distributors struggle with outdated ecommerce platforms that fail to meet buyer expectations, with key issues including time-consuming manual ordering, outdated tools and lack of trust due to inaccurate data. Justin Johnson, founder and CEO of sales automation platform Motivate, writes that distributors can turn their ecommerce operations into powerful sales engines with enhancements such as bulk ordering options, supporting flexible ordering channels and providing real-time pricing and inventory information.

AI plays a crucial role in reducing waste within logistics by optimizing supply chain processes, writes writes Engy El Ghlban of the Coficab Group. AI also cuts waste by minimizing excess production and unnecessary transportation through better demand forecasting and inventory management, writes El Ghlban.

David Brock reflects on the pervasive issue of digital distractions in modern life and shares personal strategies to combat this, such as limiting device use and fostering human interactions, emphasizing the importance of being present. "Attend a meeting with me, you will see a basket at the center of the conference table -- all devices go in there," Brock writes.

It was the Stoic philosopher Seneca who observed "Every new beginning comes from another beginning's end," which can help leaders see the possibilities when something comes to a close and be ready to pivot and grow, writes speaker and leadership expert Skip Prichard. "Whether you're stepping away from a role, retiring an old strategy, or letting go of habits that no longer serve you, remember that every new beginning waits on the other side," Prichard writes.

One-on-one meetings are a staple in work culture, but they may be unnecessary if they lack an agenda, become a checkbox exercise or are redundant due to constant communication through other channels. Make one-on-ones count by providing team members clear guidance and support and use them to collect data for performance reviews and to build a deeper relationship, say leadership experts.

Join us in Washington, D.C., January 27-29 for NAW's Executive Summit, bringing together the best and brightest leaders from the wholesale distribution industry. Learn more here.

Prioritize your organization's greatest asset — your people. NAW’s premier education programs, such as the online Management Academy and the in-depth Distribution Leadership Program at THE Ohio State University, are designed to equip your high-potential employees with the skills and insights they need to lead and succeed. Ensure your rising stars are prepared to drive your business forward by investing in their growth today. Learn more about how NAW can help you develop the leaders of tomorrow.