US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has indicated that 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will take effect as scheduled Wednesday, despite the potential impact on US companies that use these metals. The tariffs, ordered by President Donald Trump, include imports from Canada and Mexico and aim to curb efforts by countries such as Russia and China to bypass existing levies.

Beacon Roofing Supply and QXO have confirmed that negotiations are ongoing as a result of QXO's attempts to acquire Beacon for approximately $7.7 billion. Beacon has also postponed its Investor Day, originally scheduled for Thursday.

Orgill is prioritizing a tech-heavy approach under CEO Boyden Moore and Chief Information and Technology Officer Marc Hamer, aiming to transform operations and customer offerings as well as address internal needs and those of its dealers. The company has implemented Geek+ warehouse automation and a new human capital management system to streamline operations and data analysis and to eliminate scale disadvantages for smaller retailers.

US retail sales, excluding autos and gas, dipped 0.22% in February from the previous month, the second consecutive month-over-month decline, amid wintry weather and tariff concerns, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. Sales were up 3.4% from February 2024, and core sales, which also excludes restaurants, grew 4.1% year-over-year.

Supply chain professionals are grappling with fluctuating tariff policies under the Trump administration, with recent tariffs on Canada and Mexico being imposed, delayed and reinstated. Tom Cook of Blue Tiger International notes the ambiguity in implementation, and experts predict that the costs will be passed to consumers. Cook recommends that companies form internal teams to monitor changes, source domestically or from countries with free trade agreements and consider strategies such as using foreign trade zones.

Business interruptions have emerged as a significant risk in 2025, driven by supply chain disruptions and geopolitical issues, according to Allianz Commercial's annual Risk Barometer. The survey of risk managers ranks cybersecurity as the top concern, followed by business interruptions. "Nowadays, a failure or disruption in any segment of a supply chain tends to be more severe, leaving minimal time to respond," says Darren Tasker, Allianz Commercial Regional head of construction for the Americas.

Brand positioning research is essential for B2B companies to understand how they are perceived by target customers and to differentiate themselves from competitors. This article outlines the process, including defining the target audience, identifying a unique value proposition, conducting surveys and focus groups, analyzing market trends and evaluating competitor positioning.

President Donald Trump has described the US economy as undergoing "a period of transition," while refusing to rule out a potential recession amid market turmoil caused by his tariff policies and federal job cuts. "I hate to predict things like that," he said when asked if he was expecting a recession this year. "There is a period of transition, because what we're doing is very big."

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has signaled a cautious approach to interest rate changes, citing uncertainty over the Trump administration's trade and fiscal policies. While inflation is easing, the Fed will wait for clearer economic signals before adjusting its stance, Powell said.

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