Retail giant Amazon plans to invest $4 billion by 2026 to expand its rural delivery network in the US, adding more than 200 delivery stations and creating about 170 jobs per site. The initiative aims to halve delivery times in rural areas, where other logistics providers are scaling back because of costs.

Wholesale inventories in the US increased 0.5% in March to $908 billion, according to Census Bureau data. The increase fell short of economists' expectations of a 0.6% to 0.7% rise. Retail inventories declined 0.1% to $805.8 billion, while the international trade deficit widened to $162 billion.

Global businesses have increased shipments to the US ahead of President Donald Trump's tariffs, causing significant distortions in trade patterns and economic data. US imports surged more than 40% in the first quarter, driving down gross domestic product by 0.3%. The import rush is likely temporary but could continue until broader tariffs go into effect in July.

Cargo theft incidents are increasing in California, Florida and Texas, driven by sophisticated criminal networks and schemes like document forgery, according to GearTrack. California saw a 34% month-over-month increase in March, while Florida and Texas each saw a 17% increase.

In an era of unprecedented supply chain volatility, agentic AI is proving indispensable for navigating shifting trade policies, geopolitical conflicts and fluctuating tariffs, writes Kaspar Korjus with Pactum AI. It enables procurement teams to swiftly adjust to disruptions by rapidly assessing market conditions and renegotiating supplier terms, thus maintaining supply chain resilience.

Podcasting is a powerful tool for B2B marketing, with 55% of business leaders listening daily, writes Goldcast co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Kishore Kothandaraman. Podcasts, especially when paired with video, can build trust, establish thought leadership and generate content that can be repurposed across various platforms with the help of AI, Kothandaraman writes.

Quiet confidence can speak volumes for leaders, writes David DeSouza, the president of Monterey Bay Herb, who offers tips for quiet leaders to begin meetings with intentional framing and schedule decision windows for additional clarity. "If your presence signals clarity and control, your team is more likely to stay solution-oriented, open and engaged," DeSouza writes.

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