US business inventories remained flat in April, with a decline in manufacturers' stocks, according to the Commerce Department. Retail inventories were unchanged, while wholesale inventories increased 0.2%. Overall business sales declined 0.1%, leading to an inventory-to-sales ratio at 1.38 months, level with a month earlier.

US import prices were flat in May following a 0.1% increase a month earlier, according to Labor Department data. Prices are measured before tariffs and do not include duties such as tariffs. Fuel import prices fell 0.4% but increases in nonfuel imports, such as industrial supplies and consumer goods, offset the decline. Export prices dropped 0.9%, the steepest monthly fall since May 2023.

US importers are increasingly grappling with unexpected costs due to the phenomenon known as tariff stacking, which occurs when new tariffs are piled on top of existing ones. The situation leads to real-world import costs that are often higher than the headline rates cited in trade negotiations. As a result, businesses face growing difficulty in accurately forecasting and managing expenses, forcing firms to seek suppliers outside China and pass costs on to customers.

Industrial organizations should shift their focus from reducing unit cost to increasing speed to enhance profitability, efficiency and growth, writes Justin Roff-Marsh, founder of Ballistix, a sales management and marketing consultancy. A speed-based approach, similar to a Formula One pit crew, can lead to faster operations, less capital consumption, more accurate profit predictions and greater economies of scale, even if unit costs increase.

Companies are facing a significant supply chain challenge with the imposition of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump, including a baseline 10% tax on all imports. Sunil Chopra of the Kellogg School of Management suggests that businesses should adapt by shifting sourcing to alternative locations, building new supply options and taking a holistic view of risks.

B2B influencer marketing has surged, with 85% of marketers using it in 2024, up from 34% in 2020, driven by the authentic and authoritative voices of industry veterans, writes Convosight co-founder Kishore Kothandaraman. B2B marketers should prioritize long-term relationships, co-creating content and selecting influencers who genuinely align with their brand.

With the rise of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, much communication is now visual, which means leaders must craft a strong visual identity that resonates with stakeholders and aligns with company values, writes Marine Tanguy, author of "The Visual Detox" and founder and CEO of MTArt agency. "Pick each still and film image with intention and continue to work with your creative team to analyze outcomes. Develop, test and fine-tune your visual strategy, and you'll control your visual story," Tanguy writes.

The US labor market, while generally robust with a national unemployment rate hovering around 4%, presents a starkly different and challenging reality for young job seekers. This disparity is particularly evident in the much higher unemployment rate for new college graduates, which stood at 6.6% over the past year.

MDM has unveiled its 2025 Top Distributors list, highlighting key players across various sectors. Downloadable PDF with rankings, revenue data, company insights and more information is available here. Members of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors feature heavily in the listings, including topping the industrial, building materials and electrical lists.

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