The producer price index was up 0.2% last month, and 3.3% from a year earlier, according to the Labor Department. The monthly increase was smaller than the 0.4% in November, while the annual figure was above the previous month's 3%. Core producer prices, which remove the food and energy categories, were flat compared with the previous month and up 3.5% over the past 12 months.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors will award Stanley Bergman, CEO of Henry Schein, the Dirk Van Dongen Lifetime Achievement Award on Jan. 28 at its Executive Summit Gala in Washington, D.C. Bergman, who has led Henry Schein since 1989, is being honored for his leadership, engagement and service with NAW and the distribution sector.

First Supply said it plans to open a new, 300,000-square-foot distribution center in West Salem, Wisc., later this year as part of a series of announcements. First Supply President & CEO Katie Poehling Seymour said the facility includes advanced technology to deliver "faster, smarter solutions" for customers. The plumbing, HVACR and PVF distributor also announced the launch of a redesigned website, which boosts a more efficient interface and improved customer experience, and promoted Rick Viviani to director of sales.

Major container ports are experiencing a surge in imports, driven by anticipation of tariff increases and potential labor strikes, according to the Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. Imports in December are projected to be 19.2% higher from a year ago at 2.24 million 20-foot equivalent units, and January is expected to be up 10% from last year at 2.16 million TEU.

The top five supply chain risks this year are extreme weather and climate change, geopolitical instability, cybercrime, shortages of rare metals and minerals, and crackdowns on forced labor, with climate change receiving a risk score of 90%, according to an Everstream Analytics report. “While some risks are unavoidable, early notice and swift action can save inventory and lives in 2025,” said CEO Corey Rhodes.

Purpose-driven marketing has evolved into a core business strategy, requiring brands to align their mission with profitability, writes Reid Carr, founder and CEO of Red Door Interactive. While these initiatives can enhance reputation and drive innovation, they also pose challenges such as increased operational costs. Brands must integrate purpose into their core strategy and ensure it contributes to key business outcomes like growth and customer acquisition, Carr writes.

The balance of power in the job market is shifting back toward employers as major companies tighten remote work policies and reduce employee benefits. With unemployment rising to 4.1% and job vacancies decreasing, employers are regaining leverage and altering working conditions rather than conducting layoffs or wage cuts. The shift is more pronounced in white-collar roles, with companies ending remote work to trim payrolls and reducing perks such as college tuition assistance.

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.

Benchmark your sales and growth expectations for 2025 with MDM’s annual industry forecast, review of macroeconomic and distribution-specific trends, and the latest exclusive Baird-MDM MarketPulse survey insights. Join Baird Senior Research Analyst David Manthey, NetSuite VP Ranga Bodla and MDM Strategic Advisor Tom Gale on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. for the data and insights on how to best navigate the conflicting market signals shaping 2025.

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.