The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point reduction in its benchmark interest rate, marking the second reduction of the year. A statement from the Federal Reserve noted that "job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remained low through August."

Ahold Delhaize USA plans to build an $860 million distribution center in Burlington, N.C., to support Food Lion and other brands, creating more than 500 jobs. Set to begin operations in 2029, the 1 million-square-foot facility will leverage automation technology and enhance supply chain efficiency, as well as have direct access to major highways and rail infrastructure.

Bipartisan negotiations to end the 29-day government shutdown are showing signs of renewed momentum, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicating he expects to engage with Senate Democrats soon. While formal leadership-level talks between Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have not occurred, informal discussions among rank-and-file members are intensifying as critical deadlines approach, including the looming cutoff of federal food aid.

Voice-picking technology is gaining momentum in warehouses as a user-friendly, rapidly deployable alternative to paper-based picking. The technology, valued at $2.5 billion globally in 2023 and projected to grow by 15% by 2030, leverages AI-powered speech recognition to enable workers to operate hands-free and screen-free. Key benefits include faster onboarding, reduced errors, and adaptability to noisy environments, making it especially attractive for sectors like food and beverage distribution.

Remora has signed a development agreement with Pacific Harbor Line to bring carbon capture technology to freight rail. The technology captures greenhouse gas emissions from trains and trucks, converts them into beverage-grade liquid and sells it to industries such as farming and food production, sharing revenue with transportation partners.

B2B sales cycles are accelerating, with 45% of decisions closing within 14 days, up from 38%, according to LinkedIn data. This trend is driven by buyers' increasing self-reliance and rapid decision-making, prompting marketers to adopt agile, personalized strategies.

Chief marketing officers should move beyond static metrics like attribution and embrace advanced analytical methods such as marketing mix modeling, writes strategist Kathleen Schaub. Attribution often creates misleading narratives due to its reliance on predefined rules and measurable touchpoints, she writes, adding that CMOs should document the entire customer journey, consult with chief financial and chief revenue officers and conduct proof of concepts to gain CEO buy-in.

Mentorship in business has evolved from traditional, one-on-one, guru-apprentice relationships -- like Yoda and Luke Skywalker -- toward more flexible, community-based models, writes Tracy West, the executive creative director at Fifty Thousand Feet. West recommends blending old and new models that pair junior and senior talent while also creating small circles where peers learn from each other.

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