US business inventories saw a slight 0.2% rise in July, matching June's increase, according to the Commerce Department. Year-on-year, inventories were up 1.5%. Retail inventories, including motor vehicles, and wholesale inventories both contributed to the overall increase, while stocks at manufacturers climbed 0.3%.

Wesco has invested $10 million in Kojo, a San Francisco-based AI-powered construction procurement and inventory management platform, and is Wesco's largest-ever stake in a tech company. The partnership is intended to combine Wesco's scale and industry reach with Kojo's technology, aiming to address workflow challenges and improve efficiency for construction sector clients. This investment brings Kojo's total funding to over $94 million since its inception in 2018.

The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point reduction to a key interest rate and indicated that additional cuts are likely coming before the end of 2025. The reduction is the first since December and brings the overnight funds rate to a range between 4% and 4.25%. "In this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market, the downside risks to employment appear to have risen," said Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Imports at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports fell 6.6% in August compared with the previous month as the rush to beat tariffs subsided. "We've already seen the peak of the peak," says Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. "That window of opportunity through late June and July, August seems to be it." The National Retail Federation projects that import volumes will drop to a three-year low by December.

The US has begun the formal review process for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, inviting public comments over the next 45 days. The review will culminate in reports to Congress evaluating the deal's effectiveness and outlining possible changes or the US position on extending the agreement. The process is expected to be contentious, given the current trade climate and the looming 2026 mandatory joint review deadline.

Philadelphia produce wholesalers prioritize understanding consumer preferences by closely monitoring end-user trends and feedback, and collaboration is a cornerstone of their collective success. Companies operating at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, including Nardella, TMK Produce and M. Levin & Co., emphasize that knowing what drives consumer choices, whether for health, adventure or premium experiences, enables them to help retail and foodservice customers stock items that sell. This consumer-focused approach helps wholesalers anticipate demand, guide product selection, and offer relevant packaging and programs.

AI has become essential for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing, particularly in content creation, according to HubSpot's "State of AI in Marketing 2025" report. Business-to-consumer marketers use AI mainly for high-volume writing and visual content, while business-to-business marketers use it for detailed, technical content and structural tasks. Both sectors show similar enthusiasm and investment in AI tools, with 91% of marketing teams already using AI, the report states.

Corporate tax revenue has decreased since the tax law took effect, with Treasury Department data showing only $47.1 billion was collected in the two days before the quarterly estimated tax payment deadline, compared with $75.9 billion a year ago. The law allows companies to accelerate tax deductions for research expenses and equipment purchases.

When you're overwhelmed as a leader, it can impact your company's efficiency, decision speed and employee morale as teams wrestle with unclear priorities, which can result in lost opportunities and turnover, writes Allison Dunn with Deliberate Directions. To prevent this, Dunn outlines how to achieve strategic, operational and personal clarity by creating systems for setting priorities and hierarchies about how decisions get made and by whom, taking most of the weight off of you.

Prioritize your organization's greatest asset — your people. NAW's premier education programs, such as the online Management Academy and the in-depth Distribution Leadership Program at THE Ohio State University, are designed to equip your high-potential employees with the skills and insights they need to lead and succeed. Ensure your rising stars are prepared to drive your business forward by investing in their growth today. Learn more about how NAW can help you develop the leaders of tomorrow.

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