Krasdale Foods and the independent grocery stores and restaurants it serves are grappling with higher prices and a shortage of workers, says President and Chief Operating Officer Gus Lebiak. He also discusses his expectations for the federal supply chain task force, including a focus on cybersecurity.

Amazon and Walmart have revealed plans to expand their subscription programs to include discounts on prescription drugs, a move to target customers with few or no insurance benefits. Walmart's new perks for its Walmart+ members complement the retailer's 15-year-old generic drug discount program, and Amazon Pharmacy will offer Prime members some selected medications for as little as $6 for a six-month supply.

Walmart will continue to build digital and technological capabilities in all areas to meet growing customer demand for flexible in-store and online shopping options, Walmart CFO Brett Biggs said during a recent virtual conference. The retailer plans to improve efficiency in its supply chain, distribution and microfulfillment centers, along with expanding the in-home delivery service it now offers in several US cities.

B2B technology companies can mitigate shortages of electronic components by providing early demand forecasts to manufacturers, taking advantage of strong relationships with hardware providers and creating "a safety net of product inventory," writes Laurie Jones, director of supply chain for MBX Systems. "If there's one thing we've learned from the pandemic, it's the need for resiliency and agility," Jones writes.

Hyperautomation, digital supply chain twins and immersive experiences are among eight supply chain technologies with the greatest potential to advance transformation and operational resiliency, according to Gartner. The list also includes edge ecosystems; comprehensive supply chain security; environmental, social and governance; embedded artificial intelligence and analytics software; and augmented data intelligence.

Marketers can improve content marketing performance by updating sitemaps for Google, conducting research to choose the right keywords, using automated lead scoring and streamlining content to lead prospects through each stage of the buying journey, writes Kelsey Raymond, CEO and co-founder of Influence & Co. Raymond explains how to measure performance using three key metrics -- on-site analytics, conversion rates, and marketing and sales qualified leads.

Virtual events have taken off during the pandemic and industry experts predict a hybrid future, offering advice on how to create experiences that engage both in-person and digital attendees. "Most of our experiences have focused on personalization of the content journey -- giving choice to the attendee on the topics they want to hear about and the insights most relevant to them, and delivering that to them in a succinct package," says Google's Nikki Garvey.

Ambiguity is dangerous for stressed and busy employees, so help your team focus and stay engaged by discussing the one thing in the business that most needs to change, writes Chris McChesney of FranklinCovey. "You must offer your team a sense of progress, meaning and purpose," he writes.

Suppliers are increasingly selling direct, customer demographics are skewing younger and many distributors are struggling to keep up. Distributors are grappling with fundamental changes in the expectations of their supply chain partners. Suppliers continue to report frustration with their distributors' poor digital capabilities. Join NAW on June 29 at 2 p.m. for this free, live webinar with Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein of Distribution Strategy Group, who will recommend actions distributors should take to address this growing channel conflict. Register today.

Designed for C-suite executives, these roundtables provide actionable strategies that will increase your company's competitive advantage. Companies belonging to this community are from distribution firms between $100 million and up to $1 billion in annual sales. You'll engage in thought-provoking conversations with your peers and hear from industry experts on topics that will ultimately increase your profits! Register today.

How have distributors been innovating their business during the pandemic? Find that out and much more from 10 distributors who tell their stories and share ideas for both surviving and thriving in a drastically changed business environment. Author Mark Dancer shares up-to-the-minute ideas and insights from distributor leaders based on their experiences and lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic. Order this just-released e-chapter, "Distribution Leans In: Stories of Resiliency and Innovation During the COVID-19 Pandemic."