US core consumer prices rose 0.2% in December and 2.6% year-over-year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, both slightly below expectations. The overall consumer price index increased 0.3% for the month and 2.7% annually, in line with estimates. The report showed persistent inflation in areas such as shelter and food, but also signs of deflation in goods such as used cars.

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has integrated AI features into its IT and HR departments to address operational bottlenecks. The AI tools help automate tasks such as incident summarization and note creation, enabling a more swift response to employee and tech support inquiries. The company emphasizes that these AI features serve as digital extensions of their workforce, enhancing productivity without replacing employees, and are introduced thoughtfully to align with the organization's long-standing culture.

Retail sales for the 2025 holiday season grew by 4.1%, according to data from the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor powered by Affinity Solutions. The growth aligns with NRF's holiday forecast range and reflects resilient consumer spending despite economic concerns. The increase was supported by strong performances in key categories such as sporting goods, general merchandise, and clothing stores.

Industrial distributors face challenges such as global competition and complex supply chains, making efficient inventory management a crucial aspect of their operations. Modern ERP systems centralize data and automate processes, enabling real-time visibility and advanced demand forecasting. This helps distributors optimize stock levels, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction, positioning them for long-term success in a digital economy.

Legacy systems create significant challenges for wholesale distributors, including slow reporting, siloed data and integration issues that hinder competitiveness, writes Dan Mangan of Infor. Modern enterprise resource planning is essential for distributors to gain real-time data and predictive insights, with systems like Infor CloudSuite for Distribution offering AI-powered pricing, omnichannel fulfillment and warehouse automation.

A DemandScience report reveals that B2B marketing leaders face a significant challenge in translating strong campaign metrics into revenue as an average of 25% of marketing budgets are spent on campaigns that appear productive but do not generate revenue. "While 25% of budget leaks away, respondents estimate they could unlock an additional 32% in annual revenue if their data, signals, content, and orchestration were more effective and connected," said Derek Schoettle, CEO and chairman of DemandScience.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has expressed support for President Donald Trump's call for Congress to pass the Credit Card Competition Act, noting that swipe fees are among the highest operating costs for wholesaler-distributors. "With just a handful of large companies controlling roughly 80 percent of the market, meaningful market-driven reform is unlikely without congressional action," NAW says in a statement.

If your staff are disengaged, it's not a lack of effort on their part as much as it is leadership's failure to inspire them through encouraging and rewarding curiosity and taking time to be present with them so they feel seen and valued, writes Debra Clary, the founder and CEO of The Clary Group. "Creating space for connection doesn't require grand gestures; it requires presence," Clary writes.

MSC Industrial Supply has entered a new phase, focusing on sales execution and efficiency under new CEO Martina McIsaac, who succeeded Erik Gershwind. The leadership transition -- including appointments of Jahida Nada as vice president of sales, Kim Shacklett as senior vice president of customer experience and Greg Clark as interim chief financial officer -- has shifted the company's strategy from structural transformation to operational discipline.

Inventory has a significant financial impact on distributors' balance sheets, often representing 45% of total assets and tying up 20% to 40% of working capital, writes Intuilize CEO Nelson Valderrama. Distributors should think like investors and actively manage inventory as a dynamic portfolio -- instead of a static safety net -- through data-driven decision-making, product classification and ongoing life cycle analysis. This way, distributors can optimize inventory, unlock working capital and position their businesses for sustainable, long-term growth.

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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