US Foods recently expressed interest in a takeover of Performance Food Group, with discussions reportedly ongoing for a transaction that would create a combined food distribution company with about $100 billion in total annual sales, sources say. The entity would become the largest foodservice distributor in the US, surpassing Sysco, and benefit from expanded scale and new market segments, especially in areas where Performance Food holds a strong presence, such as independent pizzerias and convenience stores. However, the deal could face challenges, including regulatory scrutiny and potential impact on margins.

Supply chain leaders are rapidly adopting generative AI to tackle persistent issues such as demand volatility, risk management and logistical disruptions. While nearly all surveyed organizations use some form of generative AI, only a third have implemented supply chain-specific applications, like experimenting with business-specific chatbots. Agentic AI is also streamlining warehouse automation with autonomous robots and forklifts and optimizing last-mile delivery through route planning and self-driving vehicles.

President Donald Trump has threatened Brazil with $42 billion in tariffs, demanding the end of criminal charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro. The White House also announced plans to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports beginning in August, intensifying economic tensions with the largest US trading partner.

Tariffs, often seen as a source of uncertainty and increased costs, can drive significant supply chain innovation, writes Jeffrey Haushalter of Chicago Consulting. Haushalter highlights that tariffs force companies to develop domestic suppliers, diversify geographically and negotiate better with existing suppliers. They also promote total cost thinking and compliance, turning a potential disadvantage into a strategic advantage.

Procurement teams can drive significant value by focusing on organizational design, knowledge sharing, indirect spend management, environmental, social and governance initiatives, and risk management, writes Dan Pellathy of the University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute. Pellathy highlights the importance of breaking down silos, integrating suppliers early in product development and leveraging technologies for better decision-making.

Global trade relations are under strain as the US administration targets 18 countries responsible for the bulk of its trade deficit, sending repeated tariff warnings to major partners like South Korea, Germany, Japan and Mexico. The lack of new proposals and increased tariff threats, especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals -- with a proposed 200% tariff -- have prompted strong reactions from foreign governments and heightened tensions.

Developing detailed audience personas provide critical insights into audience needs and preferences, enabling more effective B2B content, according to this guide from the Content Marketing Institute. The guide suggests collecting data through customer interviews, input from customer-facing colleagues, external research and progressive profiling to create personas that reflect real-world challenges and goals.

Intelligent leaders are valuable, but in a time of polarization and unrest, what's really needed are wise leaders who can mix compassion and logic as well as a commitment to core values and shared humanity, writes Olga Hypponen, a partner at RHR International. Such wise leadership can be taught by helping leaders become more self-aware, seeking out diverse perspectives and engaging through critical thinking, questioning assumptions and showing empathy, Hypponen writes.

US supply chain professionals' total compensation is reaching $103,000, with a median base salary of $94,000, and optimism for continued wage growth remains strong, with industry certifications boosting earning potential, according to the 2025 Association for Supply Chain Management Salary and Career Report. The report also found a high job satisfaction rate, with 85% of professionals saying they were proud of their work, that technology remains important and that a gender pay gap continues to persist, with women earning more initially but men surpassing them later in their careers.

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