Retailers are bracing for higher prices, fewer products and potential job losses as President Donald Trump's new global tariffs take effect, just as they begin planning for the spring 2026 season. Trade investigations are contributing to tariff volatility and affecting industries such as lumber, semiconductors, trucks and truck parts. "As we saw with copper this week, these investigations can swiftly lead to new tariffs," said Mike Short, president of global forwarding at logistics company C.H. Robinson.

Nelson-Jameson's strategic distribution center in Jerome, Idaho, has achieved a 100% score in its first Safe Quality Food audit, marking the fourth consecutive perfect score for the company across all distribution centers in the past year. "Our Jerome distribution center earning a perfect SQF certification illustrates that our dedication to food safety is a throughline in everything we do in every facility we have," says Nelson-Jameson President Mike Rindy.

US factory orders decreased 4.8% in June amid weak aircraft demand, but orders were up 3.8% from a year earlier. The monthly decrease is the second in three months and follows a more than 8% increase in May. Orders for manufactured durable goods declined by 9.4% after a 16.5% jump a month earlier, and orders for non-durable goods increased 0.5%. Shipments of manufactured goods increased 0.5%, while inventories of manufactured goods increased 0.2%.

Freight fraud is escalating rapidly, with Highway's Q2 2025 Freight Fraud Index noting a 41% surge in fraudulent email attempts and a 23% rise in broker-reported identity fraud compared to the previous quarter. National data supports this trend, with a 27% year-over-year rise in US cargo theft, reflecting the growing threat across the industry.

Competition among employers seeking warehouse and logistics workers has intensified in 2025, according to a recent Integrity Staffing Solutions report. With over 39,000 employers vying for talent and a median job posting duration of 29 days, the market is tighter than ever. Employers are responding quickly and adopting more strategic hiring and retention tactics, including skills development and associate-first approaches, to attract and keep qualified workers in this increasingly competitive environment.

Top-performing B2B sales professionals are increasingly leveraging buyer intent data to identify potential buyers before they reach out, according to G2's 2025 Buyer Behavior Report. The report reveals that 57% of B2B software decision-makers expect to increase tech spending, driven by the need to stay competitive and the rise of artificial intelligence. High-performing sellers use real-time data, personalize outreach, and align sales and marketing to engage buyers effectively.

Uncertainty surrounding US tariffs continues to trouble global businesses, as President Trump's latest tariff increases lack critical details about their implementation. Companies are left guessing about which rates will apply, whether tariffs will stack on top of existing ones, and whether the new measures will withstand legal scrutiny. The ongoing ambiguity makes it difficult for exporters to plan for the future, with many holding off on major decisions until a clearer tariff framework emerges.

The number of Americans out of work for at least 27 weeks has risen to over 1.8 million, marking the highest level since 2017 outside of the pandemic period. These long-term unemployed comprise a quarter of all job seekers, up from one in five a year ago. While layoffs remain low, job seekers are experiencing tougher competition and fewer opportunities, with optimism among job seekers sharply declining and many accepting lower-paying, less desirable roles.

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