Amazon has been giving priority on its product-search pages to its private-label brands, potentially violating US antitrust law, legal experts say. Amazon calls the practice "merchandising placement" and says it was planned long before the coronavirus pandemic.

Some FedEx customers that ship more than 40,000 parcels per week will pay a 30-cent per-package surcharge, and oversized items will result in a $30-per-package charge, according to sources, as the company follows its rival UPS in raising rates. FedEx is also reportedly adding a 40-cent surcharge for SmartPost shipments sent to the US Post Office for home delivery until the service ends later this year.

Supply chain planning that's typically based on historical data has proved inadequate in the rapidly changing environment of the coronavirus pandemic, according to this McKinsey analysis. One response by supply chains has to embrace control towers, which can be a first step toward autonomous planning that taps into forward-looking external data.

Truck parts distributor Blaine Brothers created its business-to-business e-commerce site in April -- earlier than planned -- as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, says marketing official Wendy Sorquist. The site provides real-time information about inventory levels and gives the option of direct local delivery or pickup in store.

This infographic from Productive and Free displays 20 lead magnet tips to boost email subscriber lists. Ideas include creating quizzes, webinars and e-books, or offering discounts, free trials and access to digital experiences.

Sales managers should be patient and turn to a holistic strategy as they start reopening their offices to employees. Demonstrate empathy for customers, too, and use productivity tools to adapt to changing market situations with agility and flexibility, writes Neil Ringers.

Changes businesses have made during the pandemic may lead to better talent management practices, says Robert Stone of McCANN. Offices will be seen in a different light, he says, and the employers who are straightforward about post-pandemic changes will do the most to help their brand and their reputation.

Did you miss the May 28 webinar with Alan Beaulieu: "Distribution Post COVID-19 Outlook"? If yes, then you have until 5 p.m. ET, on Friday, June 12, to join the hundreds who benefited from Alan's forecast for the short-, mid- and long-term. Purchase today to receive the webinar recording and slide deck, and watch on demand at your convenience!

NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence author Senthil Gunasekaran writes, "As distributors respond to COVID-19, they are noticing the limitations of traditional recessionary responses such as cost reduction and working capital preservation. These responses may not be optimal due to the inherent constraint of this recession: social distancing. This constraint directly affects face-to-face sales. Transitioning sales teams to work successfully in this new environment is key to revenue recovery." Read his post.