The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors partnered with the AI Applied Consortium to accelerate AI adoption in the wholesale distribution sector, with NAW leading the Wholesale Distribution Advisory Council to develop novel AI solutions that aid distributors in decision-making, inventory and supply chain management. "Distributors are uniquely positioned to unlock massive value from applied AI, from forecasting and fulfillment to customer engagement," said NAW Chief Innovation Officer Bart Tessel. "This partnership gives our industry a seat at the table in shaping how AI is designed and delivered for real operational impact."

Electrical distribution giant Sonepar has rebranded several subsidiaries as Echo Electric, creating a unit with more than $1 billion in annual sales. The rebrand unites Springfield Electric, Richards Electric, Echo Electric, Holt Electrical Supply and Professional Electrical Products. Echo will serve nine states across the Midwest. "With 1,300 associates and $1.2 billion in revenue, we can invest in and expand our capabilities like never before, truly setting a new standard in our markets," said Chris Scarbrough, president of Echo Electric.

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods if Beijing does not remove its retaliatory tariffs on US imports. Trump gave China just 24 hours to lift its 34% duties imposed in response to US tariffs announced last week. "All talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Gap is employing Boston Dynamics' Stretch robots to automate inbound logistics in select distribution centers, including locations in Tennessee, Ohio, New York and California. The robots utilize machine learning and computer vision to handle the processing of boxes previously managed by human employees. One or two employees can now process 10,000 boxes daily, a task that previously required 12 to 15.

New tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump have injected more uncertainty into business and industry, but CEO and board advisor Ram Charan advises leaders to immediately analyze products and supply chain inputs that may be affected, think about pricing strategies and stop watching the stock market. Customer experience expert Dan Gingiss recommends being transparent with your customers, not making excuses, being empathetic to their needs and thanking them for their loyalty.

B2B marketers are allocating more budget to agencies and fees but are seeing poor results, writes Lisha Perez of the B2B Institute, who also highlights research indicating most B2B ads fail to drive sales. Perez urges marketers to focus on creative effectiveness and invest more in paid media, noting the effectiveness of Monday.com's recent campaign as an example.

Leaders will have to shift their mindsets during times of uncertainty to focus on core beliefs and strategy while filtering out noise, writes Rebecca Homkes, a CEO and executive advisor. "Shift from complaining, prediction mapping or kicking the can down the road to a focus on building decision-making capability," Homkes writes.

Global financial markets continued to plunge following President Trump's reaffirmation of tariff policies, triggering a historic sell-off. Over $9.5 trillion in global equity value was wiped out in just three days, including more than $5 trillion from US stocks alone. The Nasdaq 100 fell into a bear market, while Asian and European indices, along with US futures, saw sharp declines. Investors scrambled to hedge against further losses, with many turning to default insurance.

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.

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