Customer expectations are changing how distributors are doing business. They expect more. Some of your competition offers more. And you need to offer more to retain customers and have a hope of capturing new ones. And the changes are much more than offering an online website. There are other technologies you currently own that need to be leveraged as well as data insights. … [Read more...] about How Distributors are Adapting to Changing Buyer Demands
Technology & Digital
Survey Says … Give Websites Good Product Data
Quality product data is the difference between an \"adequate\" website and one with \"quality\" data that is valued by customers. And \"valued\" is determined by increased traffic, increased sales, a better search experience and being easier to be found via better SEO. The concern, and challenge, according to distributors is that many, if not all, current sources commoditize … [Read more...] about Survey Says … Give Websites Good Product Data
Home Depot … Pros, Website, Analytical Tool Investments to Grow the Business
Earlier today Home Depot presented at the Raymond James 39th Annual Institutional Investors Conference. While, overall, Home Depot is not a significant competitor to electrical distributors, if you serve the residential electrical contractor / builder market or the small contractor market, they are a significant competitor (and our eCommerce Contractor Insights survey showed … [Read more...] about Home Depot … Pros, Website, Analytical Tool Investments to Grow the Business
State of eCommerce According to Electrical Contractors & Buyers
According to a recent study conducted by Channel Marketing Group titled \"State of eCommerce, Electrical Contractor & End-User Insights\", electrical buyers are accelerating their usage of online tools for product research, downloading of spec sheets, seeking pricing and checking inventory. While online ordering ranks typically 5th out of six usages, based upon segment, … [Read more...] about State of eCommerce According to Electrical Contractors & Buyers
2018 State of eCommerce Electrical Contractor & Buyer Insights
Recently Channel Marketing Group survey electrical contractors and electrical buyers within industrial and institutions to gain insight into their eCommerce and online usage. The study was done with support of selected distributors and manufacturers and Electrical Wholesaling. Over 1300 individuals responded to the survey and over 50 interviews were conducted. The report … [Read more...] about 2018 State of eCommerce Electrical Contractor & Buyer Insights
Amazon Business Isn\’t the Greatest Threat, Customer Expectations Is
As electrical distributors launch, or prepare to launch, their eCommerce sites, they need to be aware of a key customer dynamic that is changing...the expectation of accuracy. While many have talked about Amazon Business being a key competitor (or threat), their biggest impact may be on customer expectations ... and the expectation that the inventory information on the website … [Read more...] about Amazon Business Isn\’t the Greatest Threat, Customer Expectations Is
Grainger Turning a Corner?
Continuing our Q3 earnings observations, next up is Grainger which is a traditionally a good barometer for the industrial MRO space and lately has been a case study in value proposition, price and fear of Amazon Business. From the earnings call and their slides: Overall \"a solid quarter and there were some positive signs\". Seeing growth coming from their price reduction … [Read more...] about Grainger Turning a Corner?
