The producer price index climbed 0.5% in December, following a 0.2% gain during the prior month, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Services rose 0.7%, while goods prices were flat month-over-month. Headline PPI increased 3% from a year earlier, matching the increase from the previous month.

United Electric Supply CEO George Vorwick is retiring on May 1 after 47 years in the electrical industry, including more than a quarter-century at United Electric. "Vorwick built a reputation as a respected leader known for his high ethical standards, unwavering integrity, thoughtful debate, and strong values rooted in respect and accountability," the company says in a statement. President Tony Buonocore is set to succeed Vorwick as CEO.

White Cap has announced its intention to acquire Colony Hardware, a major distributor with over 60 branches across 19 eastern and central states. The acquisition marks a significant expansion for White Cap, which already operates more than 500 branches in North America. The deal, which follows a series of smaller acquisitions by White Cap in recent years, will further strengthen its presence in the eastern US construction supply market.

Warehouses are increasingly turning to automated picking systems to address rising order volumes, larger SKU counts and shorter fulfillment timelines. Manual picking faces challenges such as rising labor costs, inconsistent productivity, high error rates and worker fatigue. Automated solutions can reduce the need for manual labor, enhance accuracy and create safer working environments.

Parcel shippers are shifting from a static pricing model to dynamic pricing, with rates fluctuating based on demand, capacity and customer characteristics. The change, led by UPS and FedEx, mirrors similar transformations that have taken place in the airline and hotel industries.

AI is revolutionizing B2B advertising by shifting the focus from vanity metrics to tangible outcomes, James Wilson writes. Traditional metrics like click-through rates are becoming insufficient as enterprises demand clear contributions to revenue and customer value. AI-driven transformation allows for better personalization, real-time dynamic creative optimization and improved attribution, ultimately connecting creative efforts directly to business impact, Wilson writes.

Major US companies are making significant job cuts, citing overhiring during the pandemic as the primary reason. The trend is most pronounced in the tech and logistics sectors, which saw the most hiring during the pandemic. Although the job market remains relatively healthy, hiring has slowed, and those laid off are finding it harder to secure new positions.

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