Plus: Trade war expected to jolt US logistics costs
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June 5, 2025
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Nine in 10 American business owners view tariffs as a potential threat to their business, with 69% citing supply chain disruptions and severe weather as top risks, according to a recent Gallagher survey. The trade war has reportedly cost firms over $34 billion in lost sales and higher costs. This comes at a time when global supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts and extreme weather events.
Full Story: Reuters (6/3) 
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Border States has begun construction in Fargo, N.D., on its first regional distribution hub, a 300,000-square-foot facility that will serve customers in six states and almost 30 locations. The facility is a significant step in the company's strategy to scale its operations, and is expected to be the first of several more distribution centers across the country.
Full Story: Industrial Distribution (6/3) 
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Do it Best has formed a member care team to boost responsiveness, consistency and clarity in member services. Jared Hufford has been named director of member care. Do it Best acquired United Hardware and True Value last year, and previously created an executive vice president of transformation and integration role held by Marianne Thompson.
Full Story: Hardware + Building Supply Dealer (6/2) 
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Operations and Technology
Ongoing global trade tensions are expected to push up logistics costs and disrupt supply chains for US businesses for the rest of this year, according to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals' State of Logistics Report. US logistics spending reached nearly $2.6 trillion in 2024, a 5.4% increase from the prior year, as businesses navigated a depressed freight market and rising operational costs.
Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (6/3) 
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First-year employees account for 37% of workplace injuries in the wholesale industry, with overexertion as the leading cause, followed by slips, trips and falls, getting struck by objects, getting caught in or between hazards and motor vehicle accidents, according to Travelers' 2025 Injury Impact Report. The report analyzed over 2.6 million workers' compensation claims from 2020 to 2024 and found that the average number of lost workdays rose to 76 per injury, six more than the previous five years, and the highest average cost per claim came from motor vehicle accidents.
Full Story: Modern Distribution Management (tiered subscription model) (6/4) 
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Sales and Marketing
LinkedIn highlights creator content for B2B
(Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
LinkedIn's new playbook emphasizes the crucial role of creator content in B2B marketing, highlighting that 82% of B2B buyers are influenced by creator content. The report suggests that brands need to adapt to this trend by investing in authentic creator strategies to remain relevant and build trust. In addition, video content is growing in impact as 63% of B2B buyers state that video influences their purchasing decisions.
Full Story: Search Engine Land (6/3) 
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The rise of AI is "revolutionizing how we measure, optimize and ultimately prove the value of creativity," writes Gain Theory CEO and co-founder Manjiry Tamhane. AI-powered tools can analyze creative assets, predict performance and recommend improvements, linking creative work directly to sales performance and allowing marketers to demonstrate the tangible effect of creativity on business outcomes, Tamhane writes.
Full Story: MediaPost Communications (free registration) (6/3) 
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The Business Leader
Job openings rose to nearly 7.4 million in April, up 191,000 from March and above economists' forecasts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hiring and layoffs also rose, and the number of people quitting their jobs fell by 150,000 to reach 3.2 million.
Full Story: CNBC (6/3) 
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About NAW
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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