The essence of “channel marketing” infers that members within a channel (manufacturer, rep and distributor) are working together to market products, services and applications to generate demand from customers. The term doesn’t infer whom funds the initiative but frequently there are co-marketing, and hence co-funding, initiatives. At times this is co-op, perhaps MDF or other … [Read more...] about Channel Marketing and Funding … but for eCommerce Initiatives?
ecommerce
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
Thinking about the eCommerce information clutter
There continues to be much discussed in the industry regarding \"eCommerce\". Daily we hear about Amazon Business, Grainger and the coming \"conquering of the channel\" by eCommerce. It almost seems as if everyone expects that the zombies in the Walking Dead will take over the world (\"\"zombies\" being customers and hence everyone will buy online and there will be no / … [Read more...] about Thinking about the eCommerce information clutter
Affordable eCommerce for Smaller Distributors
As everyone knows, there has been much discussion regarding eCommerce and how it is \"vital\" for the survival of distributors. It\'s essential to compete against Amazon. And small distributors (<$25M) are dinosaurs, destined to become extinct because of their inability to invest in eCommerce. And at the same time we heard of eCommerce systems that cost hundreds of … [Read more...] about Affordable eCommerce for Smaller Distributors
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?
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
