Many talk about the impact of Amazon. It’s impact on societal expectation. Influence on retail. It’s emergence as an MRO platform through Amazon Business. It’s foray into branded products / private labeling through Amazon Basics and its integration into the platform of many companies through Amazon Web Services (AWS). And, remember, it’s entered into homes (and some … [Read more...] about Will Alexa Bring Smart?
Industry Insights
Amazon Business is a Nominal Electrical Distributor Competitor
Interesting article in Electrical Wholesaling, “Amazon Business is Growing. Do Distributors Have a Plan” written by Unilog essentially saying you need to either join or fight Amazon Business because they are / will be taking over the distribution business (and since Unilog placed this article in EW, presumably they believe that the electrical channel is at risk.) The article, … [Read more...] about Amazon Business is a Nominal Electrical Distributor Competitor
Spinning products to improve customer experience
Over the past six months we’ve seen a number of distributors upgrade their websites – either the “look and feel”, evolve to a webstore or upgrade both. Why the investments? Because these distributors recognize that “table stakes” for at least some customers is requiring, or will require, offering an e / omni-channel experience. Customers are evolving to seeking more information … [Read more...] about Spinning products to improve customer experience
Developing Your Team Through Channel Dynamic Sharing
Last week we shared thoughts on 10 channel dynamics that are impacting, and will have a greater influence in 2019. To reiterate, these dynamics are: Whose brand is valuable?Size mattersManufacturers support channels, but you?Products or Customers? What do you sell / what is your focus?Reaching / driving influencersDigital divide from the top, through the channelDefining … [Read more...] about Developing Your Team Through Channel Dynamic Sharing
10 Channel Dynamics as Turning the Page into 2019
As we turn the page into 2019, welcome to new opportunities, new challenges, new initiatives and perhaps some new ways of doing business / serving your customers to ensure a record 2019 … whatever your goals may be. While we thought about making predictions, we decided to leave those to others and share some channel dynamics that we’ve been observing that we feel are … [Read more...] about 10 Channel Dynamics as Turning the Page into 2019
Using M&A to Change Paradigms
Every year there is much talk about M&A (mergers and acquisitions). Some companies forecast it into their budget. For some it is part of their culture to always be seeking opportunities. Some it is a new growth venture. But each year there is talk about “who will by who” and “continued consolidation.” We’ve seen it with distributors, historically many manufacturers have … [Read more...] about Using M&A to Change Paradigms
2019 According to Dodge…Takeaways from the Dodge Construction Outlook
Over the past few months there have been a number of economists and analysts who have shared their projections for 2019 regarding the overall economy. Inevitably, with the topics of tariffs, increased interest rates and no artificial fiscal stimulus (i.e like the tax cut or an infrastructure plan), essentially all are projecting an economic environment of slower growth. With … [Read more...] about 2019 According to Dodge…Takeaways from the Dodge Construction Outlook
The Intelligent Building – A reality or just an IoT dream?
The last couple of years have seen a plethora of lighting innovations in a quest to \"control\" the ceiling and eventually a building, a network of buildings and then cities. This is the vision of smart cities ... interconnected devices that enable \"control\" of various electrical and mechanical systems. It starts with lighting controls and can then migrate to building … [Read more...] about The Intelligent Building – A reality or just an IoT dream?
Protecting Price and the Channel in an Online Marketplace World (Amazon)
Amazon Business is talked about regularly within distribution industries in general and especially in the MRO space. Barely a meeting goes by with a manufacturer where the topic of \"what should we do regarding Amazon Business\" is not asked as is the question of \"what are distributors doing online (and to combat Amazon)?\" And then the discussion evolves to internal … [Read more...] about Protecting Price and the Channel in an Online Marketplace World (Amazon)
Grainger Keeps Motoring Along; Amazon Business Out of Sight?
Grainger shared its 2018 Q2 performance earlier this week and, given their industrial MRO focus, highlighted continued strength in this customer segment. And while they are not focused in the electrical space, they are about a $1B electrical player as almost 10% of their business is classified as electrical, lighting and motors. On their call they shared: 11% volume growth … [Read more...] about Grainger Keeps Motoring Along; Amazon Business Out of Sight?
