The producer price index climbed 0.2% in November, following a 0.1% gain during the prior month, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that was delayed by the government shutdown. The index increased 3% compared with the prior year.

First Supply has acquired Able Distributors, a Chicago-area HVAC supplier with four locations, adding 48 team members and strengthening its presence in the Midwest. The acquisition will see Able Distributors continue to operate under its established brand and team, with both organizations emphasizing a shared commitment to customer service and support.

Amazon has submitted plans to build a 229,000-square-foot superstore in Orland Park, Ill., marking the company's first venture into a large-format retail store. The proposed store, situated on a 35-acre site near major retailers like Costco and Walmart, would offer groceries, household items and general merchandise, as well as a limited warehouse component and space for delivery drivers.

AI agents are rapidly advancing in the retail sector, shifting from basic chatbots and virtual assistants to sophisticated systems capable of making autonomous, multi-step business decisions. At NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, tech giants like Google showcased new AI-powered tools that can manage tasks such as pricing, employee scheduling and supply chain optimization. These intelligent agents are also enhancing the customer experience by providing personalized shopping assistance and handling complex queries through voice, text, or images.

AI procurement solutions are increasingly vital for ethical and sustainable sourcing, helping companies maintain transparency, reduce environmental impact and ensure compliance with labor laws and ethical standards. These solutions offer real-time supplier monitoring, data-driven assessments and risk management, aiding in the creation of ethical supply chains and long-term value.

AI is transforming marketing by shifting team structures from functional to objective-based, as demonstrated by Bloomreach's Chief Marketing Officer Amanda Cole. This change has not reduced team sizes but has enabled the pursuit of more objectives. Additionally, the rise of full-stack marketers, who leverage AI for a range of tasks from strategy to execution, is becoming more prevalent.

Uncertainty is the only certainty in business today, writes author and speaker Simone Stolzoff, who advises leaders to prioritize building tolerance for it by clarifying what is constant, such as your company's values, innovating instead of planning and looking for red flags that may signal a need to pivot. "Being a leader is like sitting in a rowboat on a foggy lake. You can't see far ahead or know precisely where you'll end up, but you have two jobs: to maintain faith that you'll eventually reach land and to keep rowing," Stolzoff 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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