Wholesale distributors are concerned about possible tax increases if the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires, and the industry anticipates significant cost increases as tariffs affect supply chains. One-third of distributors are experiencing price increases of 25% or more, nearly two-thirds expect a 10% increase in the cost of goods sold this year, and many are slowing inventory replenishment, delaying hiring and reducing capital investments and discretionary spending, according to a survey by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and MDM Research.

The US economy contracted by an annualized 0.3% in the first quarter, the most significant decline in three years, according to Commerce Department data. Net exports shaved nearly 5% off headline GDP, with imports rising 41.3% as businesses front-loaded purchases to dodge higher costs from tariffs. Wells Fargo economist Shannon Grein said the headline GDP number "overstates weakness," due to the tariff-induced pull-forward.

The personal consumption expenditures price index was flat in March, as was a core measure that strips out the food and energy categories, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Year-over-year prices increased 2.3%, while inflation-adjusted consumer spending was up 0.7% and personal incomes increased 0.5%.

Digital twins in the supply chain are real-time digital counterparts of physical assets, processes or systems, which continuously update with live data from sources like IoT sensors and ERP systems. The predictive analytics enable proactive management of demand fluctuations and potential delays, while scenario simulation helps optimize schedules and reduce operational costs, leading to better decision-making, lowered waste and increased responsiveness to market changes.

AI, particularly generative AI, can transform procurement and supply chain operations by automating transactional tasks, enhancing market intelligence, improving procurement analytics and managing supplier risk, writes Satyen Pathak at ProcureAbility. Pathak offers five practical solutions for deploying AI effectively, emphasizing the need for a symbiotic relationship between human and AI to leverage the strengths of each.

B2B lead generation in 2025 requires a blend of personalization, AI and multichannel engagement, writes Paula Chiocchi, CEO of Outward Media. Chiocchi highlights the importance of high-quality data, thought leadership and influencer partnerships to meet the demands of modern buyers and build a sustainable pipeline.

Being a good communicator and modeling how to bring disparate stakeholders together instead of being divisive are key traits for top leaders, says Cynthia Warner, who serves on the boards of Chevron, Sempra and Bloom Energy. "CEOs need to model how you bring polarities together and foster alignment. That is the secret sauce of getting something done in today's very challenging world," Warner says.

There is widespread concern among business executives regarding the Trump administration's tariff policies and regulatory changes, with 84% expressing anxiety about the political climate's impact on business, according to a survey by the Leadership Now Project and Harris Poll. Nearly half of the executives say recent policies have hurt competitiveness, leading to economic uncertainty and project delays.

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