Heritage Landscape Supply Group, a subsidiary of SRS Distribution, is expanding its market presence by acquiring World Outdoor Emporium, a distributor of stone and outdoor living products with two locations in Missouri. The move marks Heritage Landscape's entry into the St. Louis region.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces significant tax legislation that directly affects the wholesale distribution sector, including changes to tax deductions -- especially for inventory -- capital expenditures and amortization. These changes are prompting distributors to reassess their tax planning approaches. Grant Thornton experts emphasize that high-volume, low-margin distributors may be particularly impacted by these shifts, making it essential for companies to proactively update tax strategies to optimize benefits and minimize risks under the new framework.

Logistics activity growth slowed in September, with the Logistics Managers' Index declining to 57.4, a 1.9-point drop from the previous month. The decline marks the seventh straight month below the long-term index average of 61.5 and the lowest level since March, reflecting softer expansion across key logistics segments, including inventory levels, warehousing prices and transportation utilization. The report notes a more robust expansion in the latter half of September, yet it still lags behind historical norms.

Picking optimization in distribution centers is crucial for reducing costs and carbon emissions. Picking errors cost distribution centers an average of $585,000 annually, according to a WarehouseOS study, leading to increased returns and operational waste. Strategies such as efficient logistics planning, warehouse layout optimization and digital systems can reduce picking errors and boost sustainability.

Global trade grew at its fastest rate since 2010 in the first six months of this year, excluding the pandemic rebound, despite US tariffs, according to a DHL and New York University Stern School of Business study. The study notes that only 13% of global goods imports went to the US last year and that just 9% of exports came from the US. The study projects a 2.5% annualized growth rate in global trade volumes from this year to 2029, with North America seeing the steepest downgrade in growth projections.

Marketers are increasingly adopting AI, with 60% of teams piloting or scaling AI projects, per the 2025 State of Marketing AI Report from the Marketing AI Institute. However, the biggest barrier to wider adoption is a lack of training, with only 32% of companies providing AI-specific training for marketing teams. Despite concerns about job losses, most marketers are not worried about being replaced by AI, focusing instead on the technology's potential to increase efficiency.

The International Monetary Fund has expressed concern about "significant downside risks" to global growth from renewed US-China tensions. "If these risks materialize in greater tariffs and disruption in supply chains, then growth could be lower by 0.3 points," said Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department. "If there are further tensions, that would also mean downside risks for China."

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