The personal consumption expenditures price index was up 0.3% in January and rose 2.5% from the prior year, according to the Commerce Department. The closely watched core measure, which strips out the more volatile food and energy segments, gained 2.6% annually, the smallest gain since early 2021.

Border States, an industrial and electrical distributor, is planning to build its first and largest regional distribution center in Fargo, N.D., a 300,000-square-foot hub that will open in the fall and supply 28 branches across eight states. "This is our first step in building a more resilient and scalable supply chain for Border States that supports our long-term growth strategies," says Tony Serati, vice president of supply chain strategy and optimization.

SRS Distribution is expanding its market presence with the acquisition of Rising Star Wholesale, a Des Moines, Iowa-based distributor of siding, windows and doors. Rising Star, founded by Bob Myers in 2001, will be led by his son Corey Myers and longtime employee Amber Twohig after the acquisition. Rising Star's "siding, window and door expertise will be an outstanding complement to our existing roofing-focused operation in the market," says SRS CEO Dan Tinker.

Close to 70% of companies frequently adjust delivery routes in real-time, with 40% making multiple changes each day to meet challenges that include vehicle capacity constraints, strict delivery windows and traffic congestion, according to a survey by Ortec. While 25% of companies have adopted AI-powered route optimization, 30% are in the process of doing so, highlighting a need for better real-time solutions.

The unpredictable nature of tariff announcements under the Trump administration has left many supply chain executives uncertain about the future. Lynlee Brown and Al Mendoza of Ernst & Young suggest creating cross-functional teams, enhancing data-driven decision-making, understanding the full value chain, adapting business strategies, and performing proactive policy reviews to mitigate potential disruptions.

Emotional intelligence is crucial in B2B sales, influencing decisions through trust and understanding. Oracle's Emotional Capital program and Diadem Performance's training highlight the effect of emotional intelligence on relationship management and negotiation. "People buy from people they like, know, and trust," an Oracle salesperson said.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed tariffs on Canada and Mexico are set to be imposed Tuesday, but the situation remains fluid and the level of tariffs will ultimately be decided by President Donald Trump. Earlier indications were that tariffs could be 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada, with a lower 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports, but the actual amounts could be lower. A new 10% tariff on Chinese goods is also expected.

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