Home Depot reported that consumers are continuing to delay but not cancel larger home-improvement projects, a trend driven by economic uncertainty and elevated interest rates. The retailer continued to emphasize its focus on professional customers, who now account for about 55% of total sales when including the recent acquisitions of SRS Distribution and GMS. Home Depot also said it expects tariffs to lead to modest price increases in select product categories.

Waldom Electronics and Phoenix Contact USA have entered into a partnership designed to help distributors handle excess inventory more sustainably. Through this collaboration, authorized distributors can send surplus stock to Waldom, which then manages and resells the inventory to other authorized partners. The initiative promotes responsible inventory management and reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainability in the electronics industry.

The Trump administration has initiated a federal review targeting state laws that are believed to negatively affect the national economy and interstate commerce. The Justice Department and National Economic Council are leading the initiative, which aims to identify and address regulations that raise costs and disrupt markets across state lines.

Distributors are facing pricing challenges because of shifting tariffs, creating cost unpredictability. Mark Gilham of Enable suggests strategies such as detailed mapping of tariff exposure, scenario-based pricing, a hybrid value-based and cost-driven pricing model, customer segmentation, strategic use of rebates and incentives, and inventory management.

Agentic AI is transforming supply chain and procurement by automating complex decisions, but raises significant accountability concerns, writes Deanna Vanston, a strategic Procurement Business Partner. Although AI systems operate within human-defined parameters, unforeseen actions can occur, creating a "responsibility gap," writes Vanston who emphasizes that ultimate accountability rests with humans. To address these challenges, Vanston recommends an "ethics by design" approach with rigorous predeployment testing and ongoing user training.

The marketing funnel is no longer a straightforward path from awareness to conversion. Traditional tracking and attribution models are less reliable due to fragmented platforms and devices. Marketers must adapt by creating content that meets potential customers at various touchpoints, anticipating nonlinear journeys, and ensuring brand presence.

More than 60% of global executives report prioritizing resilience over growth amid geopolitical and economic challenges, according to a survey from BDO. The report reveals that leaders are investing in AI and data infrastructure and are embedding risk management into company culture to mitigate risks. However, 42% of respondents acknowledge that their organizations lack the necessary skills and infrastructure to navigate market disruptions.

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