US unemployment reached 4.6% in November, the highest level in more than four years, despite a gain of 64,000 jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' report, delayed by the government shutdown, shows wholesale trade employment remained steady at 6.17 million jobs. However, manufacturing lost 5,000 jobs, and transportation and warehousing lost nearly 18,000 jobs.

Third-quarter wholesale trade sales in the US rose 6.5% year-over-year to $963.3 billion, according to the US Census Bureau. However, operating profits fell 2.9% year-over-year to $27.3 billion. Durable goods sales increased 10.5%, while nondurable goods sales rose 3%. After-tax profits were flat at $19.6 billion. Manufacturers saw a 6.6% increase in sales to $2.03 trillion and a 41.5% increase in after-tax profits to $259.2 billion.

Motion is seeing a notable shift in customer expectations -- including for faster delivery, assured product availability and more flexible payment terms -- shaped by broader trends like instant gratification, inflation and lingering effects of the pandemic, says Senior Vice President Eric Gonzalez. To meet these rising demands, Motion is investing in industry-specific resources and technology to enhance customer service and drive business development, and is applying deep field expertise, data and feedback to tailor its approach for each sector.

Even though AI-driven shopping is in its early stages, it is set to revolutionize the retail landscape this holiday season, with AI forecast to account for 21% of global online holiday sales, totaling $263 billion, according to Salesforce. Walmart, Target and other retailers are overhauling their AI strategies to help meet consumers' shopping needs, drive higher engagement and increase shopping carts. Their tactics to enhance the customer experience include creating AI chatbots to answer consumers' queries and partnering with OpenAI to allow purchases within ChatGPT.

AI is transforming procurement by automating routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on strategic activities, writes Shaz Khan, the CEO of Vroozi, who emphasizes that AI acts as a productivity multiplier, handling data processing and administrative work such as document processing and price comparisons. This shift enables procurement teams to build supplier relationships, conduct market analysis and develop category strategies more effectively, Khan notes.

Logic Robotics has introduced the Logic Pallet, an autonomous mobile robot designed to automate the movement of goods within and between facilities. The Logic Pallet, which has a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds and a battery life of 160 hours, is designed to handle boxed consumer goods and food. The Logic Pallet operates as a self-driving, self-loading and self-unloading platform, potentially replacing traditional pallets and forklifts.

B2B advertising is undergoing shifts as generative AI pressures traditional search, prompting a move of ad budgets toward paid social, audio, connected TV and digital out-of-home, Intentsify's Chris Modzelewski says. B2B targeting is becoming more sophisticated, using intent data and buying group targeting, while AI tools are facing a reality check, with Modzelewski noting that the industry is "not yet to the level of agentic orchestration of campaigns."

As the year winds down, executive coach Joel Garfinkle recommends taking advantage of these final few weeks to plan and build systems that will enable you to start January with clarity and momentum. Garfinkle also suggests creating an accountability system for the new year that includes monthly check-ins with yourself and finding an accountability partner to share your progress with each month.

The US wholesale distribution industry is expected to see a 4.8% revenue increase in 2025, according to an MDM Forecast, which anticipates growth in all but one sector this year and 17 of 19 sectors next year. Significant gains in pharmaceuticals, as well as grocery and foodservice, will offset a decline in oil and gas. The 2026 growth projection has been revised to 4.7%, with notable improvements in several sectors, despite a major downgrade in the oil and gas sector.

Stellar Industrial Supply has differentiated itself with its Documented Cost Savings program, which has delivered over $218 million in verified customer savings since 2010. The program quantifies and reports tangible financial outcomes for customers, shifting the sales focus from unit pricing to total cost of ownership and operational efficiency, fostering long-term partnerships. The program has helped Stellar grow from a regional distributor to a national competitor.

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.

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