Recession Rumors & Real Data: What the Numbers Actually Say, with Guest Alex Chausovsky

In this powerhouse episode of Around The Horn in Wholesale Distribution, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton welcome back Economist and Analytics Expert Alex Chausovsky from the Bundy Group for a deep dive into the macroeconomic forces shaking up the world of wholesale distribution.

With 7 keynotes in 7 days, Alex brings timely, boots-on-the-ground insight into what industry leaders are thinking, fearing, and forecasting. The trio takes on the “Big Four” disruptors—tariffs, inflation, recession risk, and geopolitical tension—and translates headline volatility into grounded, strategic actions for manufacturers and distributors.

Whether you're concerned about shifting trade policies, interest rate confusion, or how to plan CapEx in a fog of uncertainty, this episode delivers both perspective and practical steps to weather the storm and seize new opportunities.

Guest Spotlight:

Alex Chausovsky is Director of Analytics and Consulting at the Bundy Group, a boutique investment bank specializing in sell-side and capital raise advisory. With over 25 years of experience applying economic data to business strategy, Alex speaks at 100+ engagements a year, making him a sought-after voice in data-driven decision-making for complex markets. His pragmatic approach strips away economic theory to focus on what’s actually happening in the trenches—making this episode a must-listen for strategic leaders in distribution and manufacturing.

Key Takeaways:

Data vs. Sentiment: Current hard data shows surprising economic resilience, even as business sentiment tanks.

Tariffs as a Strategic Weapon: Not all tariffs are created equal; how they’re applied matters more than their existence.

CapEx Planning: Businesses are delaying big-ticket investments, but not canceling them—yet.

Interest Rate Chess Match: Powell vs. Trump—expect a standoff driven by inflation management vs. economic stimulation.

Multipolar World Order: Geopolitical fragmentation and the rise of corporate influence are redefining global power structures.

Inventory Arbitrage & Pricing: Smart companies are using strong balance sheets and predictive pricing strategies to ride out tariff uncertainty.

AI is Taking a Backseat (Temporarily): Tariffs and geopolitics have temporarily eclipsed AI as the hottest topic in strategic planning.

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