The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is among six industry groups that signed a letter sent to US senators. The letter, in part, calls on the senator to "put an end to the instability and hardship by passing a clean continuing resolution, which will allow negotiations to continue on spending measures moving through Congress, including the future of the COVID credits that will expire at year-end."

ITR Economics economist Lauren Saidel-Baker says some sectors such as manufacturing and industrial are seeing "signs of life" in some key economic indicators and that distributors should stick to hard data, rather than emotion as they plan for 2026. "We are looking at a more moderate growth rate," Saidel-Baker says, adding, "It's going to be sluggish in the near term and really building momentum."

Chap Achen of Gartner emphasizes that retailers can achieve more profitable and efficient fulfillment by deeply analyzing consumer behavior and product data. By using technology to monitor inventory and customer activity, retailers can better align fulfillment strategies with actual demand and operational capabilities, minimizing costly logistics and enhancing customer satisfaction.

United Natural Foods completed its largest rooftop solar array to date, installing a 6.7-megawatt system atop its Riverside, Calif., distribution center. The solar array spans nearly 1,000 yards and was developed in partnership with PowerFlex. The array should generate approximately 80% of the facility's electricity -- the equivalent to annually power 1,500 homes -- and follows similar projects at facilities in Howell, N.J., Gilroy, Calif. and elsewhere.

Cargo theft is a significant financial burden for the trucking industry, with recent estimates placing annual losses at up to $6.6 billion. This figure takes into account not only the direct value of stolen goods but also indirect expenses such as lost sales, operational downtime, and additional costs related to theft prevention and recovery. These costs affect the entire supply chain and can even result in stolen goods competing against legitimate products on the market.

B2B marketing is shifting toward more human-centric communication, emphasizing storytelling and emotional connections, writes Harriet Mumford of Nelson Bostock. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn have become hubs for authentic interactions, making brands more accessible and relatable. Mumford illustrates the importance of using the right messengers, including micro-influencers, to build trust and engagement, and urges B2B marketers to focus on personalized, optimistic campaigns that prioritize human connections.

B2B marketers are increasingly using social media as an entertainment channel, taking cues from B2C strategies to better engage customers. Companies like Cytiva, Workbooks and PwC are using platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to humanize their brands and drive employee advocacy, resulting in significant engagement and follower growth. "Social media, it should be about entertainment rather than sales information. And that's the bit that B2B brands have got wrong," says Workbooks Chief Marketing Officer Dan Roche.

If you struggle with productivity, it may be that the tools you're using are misaligned with your natural cognitive style, writes Deliberate Direction's Allison Dunn, who outlines four dominant styles, including those who are driven by logic and data, those who are collaborative and those who pay attention to detail. Dunn suggests tools that match each style as well as tips on arranging your workspace to optimize your time.

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