The US economy expanded at a 2.3% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily driven by a 4.2% surge in consumer spending, though a slowdown in inventory growth held back the overall figure. Projected growth for 2025 remains above 2%, but will depend on the new administration's policies and the Federal Reserve's handling of the 2.3% inflation rate and interest rate policy.

US apparel retailers, including Ministry of Supply and 33 Threads, are facing challenges due to regulatory actions in the US and Mexico targeting the Customs de minimis exemption, which allows goods worth less than $800 to avoid tariffs. The crackdown, initially aimed at Chinese sellers like Shein and Temu, has forced companies to consider restructuring supply chains, with some rerouting shipments or considering moving operations back to the US despite the high costs involved.

Tractor Supply, which reported a 3.1% increase in fourth-quarter sales to $3.77 billion, will open an 865,000-square-foot Idaho distribution center by 2027 that will serve about 200 stores in the Pacific Northwest. The company, which previously announced plans to open 90 namesake stores and 10 Petsense by Tractor Supply locations this year, has also raised its long-term store count plan -- the retailer now expects to grow to 3,200 locations, up from a previous target of 3,000.

Ferguson has begun building an 88,000-square-foot distribution center in Belgrade, Mont., to enhance service for construction and design customers. The facility, expected to be finished this summer, will include a warehouse, office space and showroom.

Women comprise just 12% of the global transport and storage workforce, facing challenges such as unfavorable workplace policies and significant gender gaps, according to a World Bank Group study. The report highlights the economic benefits of increasing female participation and introduces the Women in Transport Network to empower women in the sector.

Tariffs have become a significant issue for supply chains under the second Trump administration, which means that chief supply chain officers must view tariff volatility as a long-term challenge and opportunity, according to Gartner. "CSCOs who recognize this reality should continually evaluate opportunities to invest in strengthening their operations and attract outside investments from geopolitical actors and ecosystem partners," says Suzie Petrusic, a senior director analyst at Gartner.

Connected TV is emerging as a key channel for B2B brands in 2025 -- offering advanced targeting and storytelling capabilities, writes SpotlightIQ CEO Sean Nowlin. To succeed, brands need to set realistic expectations, focusing on brand awareness rather than direct conversions and allocate sufficient resources for testing and creative content. Recent developments, such as Google's IP address targeting and LinkedIn's professional data integration, enhance targeting options for B2B CTV campaigns, writes Nowlin.

AI is revolutionizing team dynamics by optimizing how teams work together, writes Jotform CEO Aytekin Tank, who outlines how AI can be used to enhance productivity and collaboration, allowing team members to focus on meaningful tasks rather than mundane busywork. When used wisely, AI can also improve project management, make teams more creative and streamline hiring processes, Tank writes.

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