US retail sales excluding autos and gas dipped 1.07% in January from the previous month, following a stronger-than-expected holiday shopping season, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. Sales were up 5.44% from January 2024, and core retail sales -- excluding restaurants in addition to autos and gas -- rose 5.72% year-over-year.
Maintenence, repair and operations distributor Global Industrial has named Anesa Chaibi as CEO, effective Feb. 17, succeeding Barry Litwin, who left to become CEO of Party City. Chaibi has over three decades of industrial B2B experience and has held leadership roles at The Home Depot, Optimas Solutions and HD Supply.
About 25% of firms lack a formal data strategy and 39% have minimal data governance, despite increasing AI adoption, according to a study from consultancy Carruthers and Jackson. CEO Caroline Carruthers points to an "AI paradox" where employees lack the "data literacy" to use AI tools effectively.
Supply chain resilience allows organizations to navigate disruptions and uncertainties like tariffs and geopolitical conflicts, but requires real-time data integration and small tech solutions to enhance visibility and agility, writes Tim Bridges of Capgemini. This approach can lower operational costs, optimize the workforce and enhance sustainability, Bridges writes.
Companies are leveraging AI to address a talent shortage in procurement by automating tasks and creating digital pathways for career advancement, even as a Skills Dynamics report shows that many companies are not prioritizing training budgets, with 29% having no specific budget for training. "Since the unpredictability of the supply chain is hardly going to cease anytime soon, skill shortages will continue to be a problem until companies realize their budgeting mistake," the white paper noted.
The JTBD (Jobs to Be Done) framework offers a more effective approach than traditional buyer personas for understanding B2B audiences, writes Renae Gregoire. It emphasizes understanding why customers 'hire' products or services for specific jobs, rather than focusing on irrelevant demographic details. This framework helps marketers create content that truly matters to their audience by focusing on use cases, pain points, key performance indicators and triggers.
Organizations are beginning to integrate AI agents as co-workers, not just tools, creating a hybrid workforce. This shift -- driven by advances in natural language processing and large language models -- requires leaders to rethink workflows and balance the strengths of human and AI workers. Key challenges include building trust, matching capabilities, enabling scalability and redefining cultural fit.
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.
What I've learned along the way is that existence is cosmic theater, but paradoxically, we should play our roles to the absolute best of our ability while having the wisdom not to take them too seriously.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) is one of America’s leading trade associations, representing the $8 trillion wholesale distribution industry. Our industry employs more than 6 million workers throughout the United States, accounting for approximately 1/3 of the U.S. GDP. 250,000 wholesale distribution companies operate across North America, including all 50 states. Learn more.
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