Electrical industry tradeshows start in 4 weeks with AD\'s North American Meeting, quickly followed by the IMARK Annual Meeting and the NAED Eastern, and not counting national meetings for national chains. And with the meetings comes talk regarding 2018 joint planning. In fact, Electrical Wholesaling\'s August issue was titled \"Marketing Planning.\" The 2018 planning season … [Read more...] about 2018 Planning Countdown
Customer Segments
eCommerce & Amazon Business … Driving Change?
What is Amazon Business\' true impact on the electrical distribution channel? It isn\'t \"point and click\"? Over the past few years it\'s been said \"if you don\'t have a commerce-enabled website you\'ll be out of business.\" The mantra has been repeated in industry meetings and trade publications. Analysts such as Forrester Research and Gartner predict that B2B purchasers … [Read more...] about eCommerce & Amazon Business … Driving Change?
Arrival of the “Alt Channels”- Amazon and Zoro Advertise
Much has been researched, written and talked about the emergence of alternate (alt) channels. Amazon Business is regularly mentioned and Grainger\'s eCommerce initiatives are lauded. Now comes Zoro Tools, which many may recall Grainger purchased and has been promoting here in the U.S. Both companies have influenced eCommerce spend among electrical distributors but not many have … [Read more...] about Arrival of the “Alt Channels”- Amazon and Zoro Advertise
Industrial Market Drivers, Can You Compete Differently
Over the past few weeks distributors and manufacturers are reporting an uptick in their industrial business and, in some cases, a significant increase. The reasons vary from \"general optimism\" to the increase in oil rigs; from replacing / upgrading aging equipment to responding to the need for increased capacity; from consolidation of operations requiring investment in a … [Read more...] about Industrial Market Drivers, Can You Compete Differently
Construction Process Disruption & 2017 Dodge Construction Forecast
Many at last week\'s Dodge Data & Analytics Construction Outlook conference, which coincided with the AD North American Meeting at the same hotel, over 170 manufacturers and retailers attended to gain insights into 2017. While many came for the outlook (and we\'ll dissect the report for a future posting, but here is a high level report from Electrical … [Read more...] about Construction Process Disruption & 2017 Dodge Construction Forecast
2017 Planning – Macro Outlook, Wood Building Construction & Oil
It\'s now about 30 days to the AD and IMARK national meetings. Graybar just held their national meeting. Manufacturers and distributors should be well underway in their individual planning. 2017 joint business planning is quickly upon us and, in continuing with our planning series, below is some information, and thoughts, that may help you. In this edition we\'re covering … [Read more...] about 2017 Planning – Macro Outlook, Wood Building Construction & Oil
Is Amazon An Alternate Channel or Just Meeting Customer Needs?
Yes, Amazon Business is a competitor to distributors. It is also an opportunity for manufacturers given that it represents an additional distribution channel to reach customers. Why? Because some customers desire to purchase through a different mode. Why are they not an alternative channel? Consider, how are they different than catalogers, distributors who sell online, … [Read more...] about Is Amazon An Alternate Channel or Just Meeting Customer Needs?
Welcome to 2017 Planning Season
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer as well as the unofficial beginning of the 2017 planning season in the electrical industry. While we know a number of manufacturers and distributors who have started to embark on their planning journey, most who do planning will start in the next 30-60 days. And consider that the NAED Eastern is in nine weeks and that the AD and … [Read more...] about Welcome to 2017 Planning Season
Grainger Q2 Earnings … Industrial slowdown continues
It\'s Q2 earning season, providing distributors (and manufacturers) with an opportunity to benchmark their performance, gain insights (or confirmation) on what they are seeing in the market and possibly learn a little from publicly held companies. First up is Grainger whose results reaffirm that the industrial slowdown continues, albeit it is no longer in free fall. Grainger … [Read more...] about Grainger Q2 Earnings … Industrial slowdown continues
A Shot in the Arm
Earlier this year Codale Electric, a Sonepar operating company, acquired Grove Madsen. Two months later Codale and Grove Madsen have big growth plans. A recent story in the Northern Nevada Business Weekly shared some of the strategies that are in development that will give this formerly independent distributor a shot in the arm. The benefits of the acquisition, according to … [Read more...] about A Shot in the Arm
