US import prices rise moderately in January

From Reuters

U.S. import prices increased slightly less than expected in January as a surge in the cost of fuels was partially offset by decreases in the prices of motor vehicles and consumer goods, offering some hope in the fight against inflation.

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Inflation warning signs mount

From Axios

Investors expect inflation to remain high, posing challenges for the Trump administration and the Fed. Rising breakeven rates reflect growing concerns, fueled by recent tariff threats. Read this article

BCG: tariffs would accelerate change in global trade flows

From DC Velocity

Geopolitical rivalries, alliances, and aspirations are rewiring the global economy—and the imposition of new tariffs on foreign imports by the U.S. will accelerate that process. Read this article

Plumbing & PVF Supplier Raises Prices Following Tariff News

From IMPO Mag

Plumbing PVF supplier Matco-Norca announced plans to raise prices on materials and products imported from China. The company attributed the increase to the imposition of a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Read this article

Suppliers Shift Volumes to Distributors with Eyes on European Prize

From Industrial Distribution

The European MRO market offers major opportunities but remains complex. To navigate this, many top suppliers are shifting volume to distributors, a proven, cost-effective strategy used in the U.S. Read this article

Distributors grow sales nearly half a trillion despite 2024 headwinds

From Digital Commerce 360

Despite headwinds, 400,000+ U.S. distributors saw some growth in 2024. Looking ahead, uncertainty looms, with proposed tariffs—25% on Canada/Mexico imports and 10% on China—raising new concerns. Read this article

97% of shoppers abandon purchases due to inconvenience

From Digital Commerce 360

A new FedEx report reveals that 97% of consumers have abandoned purchases due to inconvenient shopping experiences. The report outlines key data trends  including consumer expectations for convenience, real-time tracking, and easy returns. Read this article

27% of CMOs remain reluctant to adopt generative AI: Gartner

From Marketing Dive

A Gartner survey found 27% of CMOs have little to no generative AI adoption, while 47% see major benefits in campaign evaluation and reporting. High-performing businesses are leading in AI use. Read this article

What's the Difference Between PR and Publicity?

From Marketing Profs

Are public relations and publicity the same thing when it comes to brand management? Definitely not, according to a recent overview of the two approaches from Media Update.

An infographic summarizes why marketers should make a distinction between PR and publicity. Read this article

How AI Is Set To Impact Marketers

From Social Media Today

How do you feel about the AI shift, and its potential impact on your job and/or career? LinkedIn has been exploring the impact of generative AI in marketing specifically, and how marketers view the rising influence of AI tools in their day-to-day work. Read this article

Quantum Stocks Climb as Microsoft’s Chip Sparks Debate

From Reuters

 Digital twins are making an incredible impact on the manufacturing industry. By simulating the factory using real-time data from sensors and other IoT technology, manufacturers can iterate faster during the product design, improve efficiency, forecast potential equipment failures and even help train new workers in virtual environments. 

Quantum computing stocks climbed after Microsoft unveiled its Majorana 1 chip, claiming fewer errors than rivals. The breakthrough challenges Nvidia’s stance that the technology is "decades away" and could revolutionize cybersecurity and computing. Read this article

The promise of quantum computing in manufacturing

From Smart Industry

Quantum computing may seem futuristic, but early adopters are already seeing its potential. While there’s still time to catch up, understanding its benefits is key.

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Digital Twins: The Backbone of Effective AI Integration

From Industry Today

Generative AI is now essential for competitiveness in industrial sectors. However, heavy-asset industries like oil, gas, and manufacturing must first tackle a key challenge: managing complex industrial data to fully leverage AI’s transformative potential. Read this article

The AI Teammate: How to Collaborate With Artificial Intelligence in Sales

From Marketing Profs

AI-driven large language models (LLMs) are reshaping B2B sales by enhancing productivity and supporting salespeople rather than replacing them. These advanced tools act as powerful collaborators, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency. Read this article

What 5 Million Cold Calls Reveal About Selling in 2025

From SMM

Last quarter, the Nooks sales team crushed its goal. The secret wasn’t a clever email template or gimmicky approach. They picked up the phone and had real conversations. The most successful companies build 80% of their pipeline through direct conversations. Read this article

Are All PE Firms Barbarians?

From Electrical Trends

Over the past 4 years there have been 116 acquisitions in the electrical distribution industry as well as a number of manufacturers, and manufacturer reps / lighting agents, that have been acquired. Most deals were by strategic buyers, with few involving private equity. Read this article

The Impact of Sales Training on Employee Morale and Retention

From SMM

Sales training not only improves performance but also enhances employee retention and engagement. Investing in training strengthens both sales outcomes and workforce stability. Read this article

Managers may play a key role in total rewards, study says

From HR Dive

A strong compensation strategy also involves ensuring managers can navigate talent challenges, especially as rising costs force employers to do more with less, a study says. Read this article

Phil Mause named Marcone Chief Commercial Officer

From Supply House Times

Marcone has named Phil Mause as CCO to drive growth through sales and marketing. CEO Asterios Satrazemis praised his expertise in data-driven insights, strategic partnerships, and go-to-market strategies. Read this article 

Siemens Appoints New Global Head of Communications

From tED Magazine

Siemens AG has appointed Christiane Ribeiro Guimarães Höfer as the new global Head of Communications. Ribeiro succeeds Lynette Jackson. Read this article 

AFC Industries Expands with New Facility in Mexico 

From MDM

AFC Industries opened a Mexico facility to strengthen supply chain solutions, enhance inventory management, and offer just-in-time delivery. Read this article

Univar Solutions Acquires Brad-Chem Holdings

From MDM

HVAC distributors Republic Companies and T.F. Ehrhart announced they have merged to enhance service offerings and strengthen its market position. Read this article

HARDI distributors report 14.2% revenue increase in December

From Supply House Times

HARDI released its monthly TRENDS report, showing sales by HARDI distributors increased by 14.2% during December 2024. The annual sales growth for the 12 months through December 2024 is an increase of 3.9%. Read this article

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