Corporate executives and economic forecasters are warning that US tariffs, intended to boost American manufacturing jobs, may actually prompt workforce reductions next year. Rising operational costs from the tariffs are leading some firms to implement staff reductions and explore offshore manufacturing, with several ISM survey respondents citing layoffs and voluntary severance packages. The trend suggests that tariffs could accelerate job losses as companies adjust to increased costs.

Home Depot is intensifying efforts to capture a larger share of the professional market, focusing on "complex purchase Pros" who require a diverse range of materials and deliveries. Executive Vice President Michael Rowe is leading the effort with strategies including enhanced delivery reliability, trade credit offerings and significant investments in technology and the Pro ecosystem. The acquisition of companies such as Temco Logistics, GMS and SRS has bolstered specialty fulfillment, expanded Home Depot's physical footprint with more than 2,000 stores and facilities and is helping to make the company a one-stop shop for professionals.

Mom-and-pop businesses are filing for bankruptcy in record numbers, with over 2,200 cases under Subchapter V rules reported so far this year, according to Epiq Bankruptcy Analytics. The surge reflects mounting pressures from high borrowing costs, cautious consumer spending and the impact of US trade policy. Such small-business bankruptcies are increasing at a faster pace than Chapter 11 filings, and consumer bankruptcy cases are up about 5% compared with the same point in 2024.

US import prices were flat in September as a 1.5% decline in fuel import prices, driven by cheaper petroleum and natural gas, was offset by a 0.2% rise in nonfuel import prices, according to the Labor Department. Import prices are 0.3% higher than a year earlier, according to the report. Export prices were also unchanged from the previous month, but increased 3.8% from a year earlier, the most significant year-over-year gain since late 2022. 

Sonepar is rolling out real-time delivery tracking and scheduling across its US operations by implementing Innovo's Drive app at more than 570 locations. The app lets customers monitor and manage their orders throughout the delivery process, providing great transparency and control. Innovo's Route technology optimizes delivery routes at locations with at least three trucks. Sonepar is also beta testing Innovo's Stockroom Web inventory-management platform.

Amazon Web Services has introduced AI agents for Amazon Connect, aiming to automate routine customer service tasks by recommending actions, retrieving account information and executing tasks, allowing human representatives to focus on more complex issues. This update could help distributors manage high volumes of customer inquiries more efficiently and enforce consistent service policies across branches. AWS also introduced Nova Forge, allowing companies to train private instances of Amazon's Nova models using proprietary data.

LinkedIn has released a 55-page guide on effective B2B branding, emphasizing the importance of being present in relevant spaces, ensuring brand accessibility and managing a strong product portfolio. The guide, developed with the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, highlights the need for consistent, credible presence across digital and human touchpoints, advising brands to focus on channels that align with revenue sources, transition from rented to owned prominence and protect core products to maximize value.

A Gartner survey finds that only 48% of employees trust their senior leaders, highlighting a critical challenge for organizations amid ongoing disruption. The survey also finds that trust significantly affects employee engagement, which can impact talent and business outcomes. Leaders can build trust by identifying and addressing trust deficits, embracing decision-making transparency, facilitating open dialogue and investing in skills development programs.

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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