The consumer price index increased 0.4% in December and gained 2.9% from the prior year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the core index, which strips out food and energy costs, rose 0.2% for the month and 3.2% on a year-over-year basis.

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of distributor EMD Sales in a case that questioned the standard of proof that employers must meet to show employees are exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Brian Wild, chief government relations officer for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, called the decision "right on the law and policy," adding the Fair Labor Standards Act exemptions were designed to protect employees and ensure employers are able to "effectively and efficiently run their businesses and serve their customers."

Motion, a distributor of MRO replacement parts, is acquiring M.B. McKee, a distributor of mechanical bearings, belts, motors and conveyor systems based in Texas, in a deal expected to close by January's end. The acquisition will enhance Motion's presence in the region, and M.B. McKee President Cindy Cole will oversee the transition, with key executives remaining in their roles.

AI and digital tools are transforming procurement into a strategic function due to the need for agility and supply chain resilience amid global economic uncertainties, according to an Amazon Business report. While these technologies offer significant benefits, integrating them into existing systems poses challenges, which means procurement departments are seeking more diverse suppliers and using predictive analytics to make supply chains more transparent.

Inclusive procurement practices are key to economic growth, generating a $303 billion impact from $168 billion spent on small and diverse suppliers, according to a report from Supplier.io. This spending supports more than 1.4 million jobs and $105 billion in income, which underscores the role of supplier diversity in enhancing operational resilience and supply chain reliability, as noted by CEO Aylin Basom.

Colleen Francis advises salespeople to persistently engage prospects using various communication channels in a strategy involves a systematic approach over six to seven weeks, with increasing intervals between attempts. Francis warns against the risk of relying solely on one contact, suggesting that broadening the network within a company can enhance the chances of closing a sale.

U.S. employee engagement has dropped to a 10-year low, with only 31% of workers engaged and 17% actively disengaged, according to Gallup. New employee expectations and poor performance management are among the factors cited as contributing to the fall. Leaders can reverse this decline by generating -- and listening to! -- authentic feedback from employees and choosing managers who are skilled at connecting with and inspiring workers.

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.