Tariffs have become an embedded structural cost for transportation and distribution companies, requiring a deliberate and durable response, according to an MDM Amplify podcast featuring Grant Thornton specialists. The discussion covers geopolitical uncertainty, legal challenges and cost mitigation strategies, emphasizing the need for scenario planning and cross-functional coordination.

A number of distributors were recognized by Fortune for its 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list, including Arrow Electronics, Avnet, Graybar Electric, Fastenal, Ferguson Enterprises, Grainger and Wesco International. The Home Depot also came in at No. 4 among specialty retailers and 21st overall.

Construction spending rose 0.5% in October, driven by a 4.5% increase in residential improvements and a slight uptick in public works, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. However, single-family homebuilding dropped 1.3%, and private nonresidential spending dipped 0.2%. AGC's recent survey shows subdued contractor expectations for growth, except in data centers and power projects. "Cutting red tape, making go or no-go decisions more quickly and continuing to invest vital infrastructure will boost employment, stimulate new economic activity and make the American economy even more competitive," AGC CEO Jeffrey Shoaf says.

Agentic AI is poised to radically transform procurement by automating complex, knowledge-intensive tasks and entire workflows, allowing procurement professionals to focus on strategic oversight rather than routine execution, according to CPOs taking part in a recent Kearney roundtable in Amsterdam. This transformation requires a fundamental rethinking of business cases, moving away from purely efficiency-based ROI to emphasizing effectiveness, compliance and user experience. Successful transformation depends on organizational readiness -- particularly data and team preparedness -- and a willingness to redefine procurement roles, workflows and operating models to harness the full value of AI-driven agents, say the CPOs.

Warehouse inefficiency can significantly erode profit margins, inflate labor costs and undermine customer satisfaction, writes Gerald Von Feldt, a managing director at Maine Pointe. ABCDE slotting is a key strategy to increase efficiency by organizing inventory based on movement velocity, and companies that use the method report significant improvements in productivity, reduced labor costs and increased throughput. When combined with strong management practices, the approach can transform warehouses into competitive assets.

Supply chain managers must embrace uncertainty as the new normal, driven by factors such as fluctuating tariffs and debates over AI. David Maloney advises managers to invest in warehouse, transportation and labor management systems, as well as supply chain visibility tools and adaptable automation, to boost productivity and reduce costs.

LinkedIn posts that announce a new job, using phrases such as "starting new position" or "new position as," are linked to a 651% median increase in engagement, according to Drumbeat's analysis of 16,000 posts. Posts expressing gratitude and excitement also perform well, with phrases such as "thank you to" and "thrilled to" boosting engagement. The trophy emoji increases engagement by 70%.

US GDP grew at an annual rate of 4.4% in Q3, its fastest pace since 2023, driven by strong consumer spending and business investment in artificial intelligence, according to the Commerce Department. While consumer spending rose 3.5%, business investment excluding homebuilding increased 3.2%. The job market, however, remains weak, with only 28,000 jobs added monthly since March, compared with 400,000 during the post-pandemic hiring boom.

The latest Averitt supply chain survey reveals that positive sentiment among shippers has dropped to its lowest level in a decade. Only 59% of respondents express optimism about increased shipping volumes, marking a more cautious outlook compared to prior years. This decline in sentiment is linked to factors such as higher execution risk, tighter capacity and ongoing uncertainty within the industry.