In a Tuesday statement, the National Association of Wholesale-Distributors highlighted the negative impact tariffs on Canada and Mexico could have on the industry and encouraged the White House to pursue policies that maintain financial flexibility for the wholesale-distributors that power the US economy. "Prolonged tariffs on these key allies and trading partners could create significant cash flow challenges and supply chain disruptions for distributors," NAW said, noting duties are paid immediately upon import and would "divert valuable capital away from critical investments in hiring, wages, training, and expansion."

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery and Build.com have rebranded under the unified name Ferguson Home, aiming to offer a seamless shopping experience that blends digital and physical interactions. The strategic move combines e-commerce with showroom consultations, allowing customers to pre-select products online and experience them in person with expert guidance. The transition includes updating all branding and maintaining Build.com for six months to ensure a smooth changeover.

There were 22 mergers and acquisitions transactions in the building supply, industrial and commercial hardgoods sectors in February, according to MDM. The February total matches the previous month but falls short of December's 25 deals. So far, 2025 has started slower than a year ago, when 28.8 deals were completed monthly. Notable deals in Feb. included the merger of HVAC distributors Republic Companies and T.F. Ehrhart, and acquisitions by Imperial Dade and Motion.

Construction spending dipped 0.2% in Jan. from the previous month and jumped 3.3% from a year earlier, according to Commerce Department data. The month-to-month spending decline was primarily attributed to a 0.7% pullback in multi-family homebuilding. High mortgage rates and potential new tariffs on lumber and other imports are contributing to the downturn.

Businesses are navigating increasingly complex government policies that are reshaping supply chains, Mike Gross of TrueCommerce writes. Trade regulations are evolving with new tariffs and stricter documentation, environmental standards are tightening, and governments are incentivizing digital transformation. This regulatory landscape is driving companies to rethink sourcing, prioritize sustainability and invest in local manufacturing.

Advance Auto Parts is overhauling its supply chain to address declining market share and sales, consolidating distribution centers and opening larger regional hubs to compete with rivals such as O'Reilly Automotive and AutoZone. CEO Shane O'Kelly said the strategy aims to deliver products faster by optimizing inventory management.

Slightly more than half of marketers say that the thought of integrating AI into their work processes makes them feel overwhelmed, per HubSpot. A survey by Ascend2 reveals that 54% worry AI will diminish creativity and human touch, although a third say it will revolutionize marketing by increasing efficiency and personalization.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested the US may reach a compromise with Canada and Mexico on new tariffs. While President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs took effect Tuesday, Lutnick indicated negotiations could lead to a partial rollback if both nations take stronger action on illegal drugs and trade issues.

As businesses face continuous disruption, internal communicators are becoming pivotal in managing change, moving beyond traditional change management roles. The shift from occasional large-scale transformations to ongoing adaptation requires communicators to apply change management concepts in their daily operations.

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