The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has called on the Senate to pass a clean, short-term funding bill to end a government shutdown. The House has already passed a short-term funding bill. "Failing to act will result in an extended government shutdown leading to economic uncertainty, critical supply chains disruptions, and unnecessary challenges for businesses, workers, and consumers," says Eric Hoplin, the NAW's president and CEO. "Stability in government operations is essential for keeping supply chains strong and avoiding unnecessary disruptions."

US warehouse vacancies remained at an 11-year high of 7.1% in the third quarter but did not increase for the first time in three years, according to a Cushman & Wakefield report. Demand for warehouse space rose as companies built up inventories ahead of expected tariffs, and newly built warehouse space fell 14.6% from Q2 and 33% from Q3 last year.

DXP Enterprises has acquired APSCO, a manufacturer's representative agency based in Washington state, to strengthen its presence in the water and wastewater industry. APSCO has represented manufacturers in the region for nearly 30 years, covering states such as Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. DXP CEO David Little notes that the acquisition will enhance the company's product and service capabilities, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

Distributors might be more ready for AI than they think, as perfect data or leading software are not prerequisites, writes Aca Vucetic of Bloomreach. Distributors can gauge their readiness by breaking down data silos, valuing data over tools, using data for improvements and taking incremental steps, Vucetic writes.

A survey by Adelante SCM and Trimble finds that 44% of companies still rely on mostly manual or entirely manual processes for freight procurement, despite recognizing the need for digital tools. The survey of supply chain executives highlights challenges in internal stakeholder alignment, bid setup and request-for-proposal creation, with many participants noting difficulties in distinguishing between carriers and brokers.

Brand and reputation management are the most effective public relations tactics among business-to-business marketers, according to a survey by Convey Communications and Demand Metric. Respondents say that their biggest challenges are limited budgets and resources, as well as difficulty measuring return on investment.

Almost half of employees view equity compensation as a must-have benefit when considering a new job, seeing it as a critical tool for reaching retirement goals, a Charles Schwab survey indicates. Andrew Salesky, managing director of stock plan services at Schwab, notes that equity compensation benefits not only boost engagement but also help employees learn about investing, alleviate financial stress and build wealth.

US job growth was effectively stagnant in September, with private data sources indicating only minimal changes, and consumer confidence in finding new employment remains at its lowest point since the pandemic. Most new jobs were concentrated in California, Massachusetts and New York, and primarily in the health care and education sectors, according to Moody's. Data from ADP and Revelio Labs show conflicting numbers, with ADP reporting a decline of 32,000 private jobs, while Revelio estimates an increase of 60,000 jobs.

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