US business inventories increased by 0.2% in September, according to the Commerce Department. Manufacturing inventories fell by 0.1%, while retail and wholesale inventories rose by 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Business sales remained unchanged for the second consecutive month, with retail sales inching up by 0.1% and wholesale sales dipping by 0.2%. The business inventories-to-sales ratio stayed at 1.37.

NEFCO has acquired STS Industrial, a Louisiana-based supplier, marking its second major acquisition of the year. The deal enables NEFCO to expand its footprint into the Gulf Coast, an area known for its rapid industrial and energy sector growth. STS Industrial will maintain its operations while gradually integrating NEFCO's broader product lines and services.

US manufacturers plan to increase sales prices to offset rising input costs from tariffs, with 32% of manufacturers surveyed by the Institute for Supply Management intending to pass on all tariff-related cost increases to customers, while 42% will use a mix of price hikes and absorbing costs. Manufacturing leaders are cautiously optimistic about 2026, however, expecting revenue gains, better capacity utilization and modest employment growth.

Workforce demographics, social media and agentic commerce are forcing the distribution industry to undergo significant changes. Distributors are facing a younger, more digitally savvy workforce, with social media increasingly influencing product discovery and agentic commerce on the horizon. Distributors must adapt to these changes by embracing mobile-native channels, improving data quality and leveraging real-time market data to stay competitive, writes David Bauders, CEO of SPARXiQ and Trade Hounds.

The Port of Los Angeles experienced an 11.5% year-on-year decrease in import volume for November, attributed to companies advancing inventory purchases to circumvent U.S. tariffs on items like auto parts, toys and metal furniture. Despite this decline, total port traffic for the year is expected to surpass 10 million TEUs, matching the previous year and marking the third-highest total on record. Broader US port import volumes also fell, reflecting continued soft demand and persistent tariff-related uncertainty.

Video posts on LinkedIn generate 20 times more shares and three times higher engagement than other post types, and video ads have a 47% higher click-through rate, per LinkedIn. This infographic also outlines tips on creating effective campaigns, such as designing videos for sound-off and focusing on storytelling.

When things become chaotic at work, Karin Hurt from Let's Grow Leaders recommends following the advice of a mentor of hers who lived by the motto, "Where there is chaos, seize control," which means acting decisively when others hesitate, building solutions rather than criticizing, enabling teamwork and focusing on essential rules. "When you hesitate, your team drifts. When you provide clarity and show commitment, people move -- even without perfect certainty," Hurt writes.

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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