Ryerson Holding and Olympic Steel say they've entered into a definitive merger agreement, aiming to combine their operations and create the second-largest metals service center in North America with an estimated %6.5 billion in annual revenue. The announcement highlights the strategic compatibility between the two companies, with the merger expected to be final in the first quarter, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.

US consumer confidence fell for the third consecutive month in October, reaching its lowest level since April, according to the Conference Board. The drop is attributed to concerns about the economy and labor market, with more consumers expecting fewer job opportunities in the next six months. Despite this, household spending remains solid, and the Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates to support the job market.

Amazon has expanded its collaboration with the US Postal Service by introducing doorstep returns pickup for select customers. This service, launched in the summer of 2025, enables eligible Amazon shoppers to have USPS collect their return packages directly from their homes for certain items. The move highlights a deeper operational partnership between Amazon and USPS, with Amazon seeking to enhance return options as the holiday season approaches.

Logistics companies worldwide are set to prioritize digitalization in 2026, with about 40% planning to allocate more than a 25% of their budgets to technology investments, according to a survey by Ontegos Cloud. Companies are focusing on predictive visibility and forecasting, but cybersecurity and compliance are not as highly prioritized. "Logistics and freight forwarder leaders are no longer asking if they should digitalize, they're asking how fast they can do it," says Ontegos founder and Managing Director Oliver Gritz.

The US parcel market is experiencing significant changes as regional players expand, last-mile startups grow and large retailers like Amazon and Walmart build private delivery networks. The elimination of the de minimis exemption has disrupted import patterns, with parcels now being consolidated and shipped as wholesale goods. Major carriers such as FedEx and UPS are increasing surcharges to offset revenue shortfalls, while regional carriers offer competitive pricing. This shift is leading shippers to diversify their carrier base to manage costs effectively.

Sustainable logistics is now a central expectation for webshops, driven by consumer demand for both fast delivery and environmentally responsible practices. Companies are adopting smart packaging to minimize waste and optimizing delivery routes to reduce fuel usage and CO₂ emissions. By investing in these green logistics solutions, webshops can cut costs and reduce their environmental footprint, setting a new standard for responsible ecommerce fulfillment.

The US Postal Service is preparing for the holiday season by hiring 14,000 seasonal employees, deploying more than 600 package sorters and acquiring nearly 106,500 vehicles, two-thirds of which will be electric. "We expect to see a continuation of this trend in the coming holiday period and to continue winning a larger share of the nation's shipping business," says Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner.

The first quarter, followed by later summer, are the strongest seasons for B2B demand, with 22 out of 27 categories reaching peak search interest in January or March, according to analysis by DesignRush. This period aligns with new budget releases and strategic planning cycles, making it the prime opportunity for launching campaigns, renewing contracts, and pitching long-term partnerships.

Corporate jargon can be a valuable tool for conveying expertise and efficiency within specialized teams, but it often creates confusion, slows workflows, and even results in unnecessary complexity that masks questionable work, writes leadership expert David Burkus, who argues for clear language. "You don't need to send GIFs to the board of directors, but you can write like a real person instead of a corporate buzzword generator," Burkus writes.

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