QXO has secured an additional $1.8 billion in equity funding, following $1.2 billion last week, bringing the total new funding to $3 billion. The influx of capital enhances QXO's ability to pursue strategic acquisitions, and the firm is reportedly in late-stage talks with seven potential acquisition targets. QXO completed an $11 billion purchase of Beacon last year and is seeking to reach $50 billion in annual revenue within the next decade.

There's a persistent execution gap in distribution, where strong strategies fail to translate into results due to inconsistent follow-through, writes Bharani Nagarathnam. Factors such as too many simultaneous initiatives, lack of process discipline and misaligned metrics contribute to this gap. Nagarathnam emphasizes that closing the execution gap -- by focusing on consistent action, prioritizing crucial projects and engaging the frontline -- will determine competitive success for distributors in 2026.

US import volumes are expected to remain subdued through the spring, after a brief increase in January ahead of Lunar New Year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report from NRF and Hackett Associates. The lingering effects of tariffs are major concerns for retailers, who are seeking stability in trade policy to maintain smooth supply chain operations.

Forklift accidents remain a significant risk in warehouses, despite safety advancements. However, a majority of incidents stem from operator error, visibility limitations, pedestrian unawareness, poor warehouse layouts and equipment issues. Companies can significantly reduce accidents by implementing modern safety systems such as virtual reality training, advanced detection tools and predictive maintenance.

Walmart plans to expand its drone delivery service to 150 more stores this year, aiming to have the service at more than 270 locations by the end of 2027. Partnering with Alphabet's Wing, Walmart expects the expansion to allow more than 40 million shoppers to access drone delivery, which is currently limited to the Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta areas.

Google has introduced Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience, a set of AI tools designed to help retailers deploy AI agents for shopping, support and food ordering. Home Depot and Lowe's are leveraging the AI tools to enhance customer experience, streamline operations and provide personalized advice and guidance. The technology aims to create a seamless shopping journey from discovery to post-purchase support.

Leaders often equate being nice with effectiveness, but this can lead to avoiding difficult conversations and decisions, ultimately harming organizational performance. Leaders should focus on being good by setting clear expectations, providing honest feedback and making tough decisions when necessary. This approach fosters a more productive and accountable work environment.

If time blocking your day ahead of time feels restrictive, as it did for author Chris Bailey, you could try his method of "rolling time blocking," which involves defining what you'll spend time on and then blocking out time as the day goes on. "Sometimes, I'd choose the next few things to work on; other times, I'd choose just the next one. It was a simple change, but I still experienced the benefits of having predefined what I would spend time on -- with the control I wanted," Bailey writes.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has launched the Distributors Deliver Podcast, exploring the technologies and trends that are moving the industry forward. The first episode focuses on politics and policy, with NAW President and CEO Eric Hoplin discussing the issues impacting distributors with NAW Chief of Government Relations Brian Wild.

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