Online seller ventures into grocery stores, so is distribution next?
Eric Smith
Senior Editor Eric Smith is an award-winning business journalist whose coverage focus includes economic news and insights, industry trends, M&A, and analysis of small businesses and public companies across the wholesale distribution marketplace. Reach him at eric@mdm.com or 720-207-0335.
Posts By Eric Smith
After-hours initiative aims to differentiate amid changing demands.
This article is part of MDM's 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
The distribution industry has seen a surge in discussions about leadership and culture. With an uneven economy, new threats of disruption and the continuation of a massive generational shift in distribution, exhibiting strong leadership is critical for any company that wants to prosper.
This article includes:
- How does a company measure strong leadership?
- The generational change
- How strong leadership leads to a strong company culture
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
This article is part of MDM's 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
There’s no escaping Amazon. Thanks to the company’s recent mammoth grocery store bid, even a trip to Whole Foods for organic marinara sauce or a bundle of kale could inflate Jeff Bezos’ already exorbitant income.
This article includes:
- Retooling delivery processes to minimize threat
- How Amazon is changing the way many distributors operate
- Why increasing the speed of delivery may be inevitable
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
This article is part of MDM's 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
The “era of the customer,” as many have labeled today’s business climate, means distributors are being asked to provide more services yet charge the same price, or sometimes less, for the products they sell. Response to customers’ new demands vary by company size, sector and geography, but all distributors agree that retaining business and growing market share while remaining profitable is critical for survival in today’s increasingly competitive landscape.
This article includes:
- More services, lower prices
- Customers are demanding faster delivery and more informationl
- B2B customers look to bring products to the end users more quickly and efficiently
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
This article is part of MDM's 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
Customer satisfaction drives Dakota Supply Group. The Fargo, ND-based electrical, HVAC and plumbing distributor recently launched its After Hours Experts initiative to provide technical, service and sales support for customers beyond the routine Monday to Friday, 8-to-5 schedule. CEO Todd Kumm spoke with Associate Editor Eric Smith about how the company works to differentiate amid changing customer demands.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
This article is part of MDM's 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue.
MDM identified a handful of other distribution trends to watch for the rest of 2017 and into next year. Look for stories on these and other topics relevant to the industry in future issues of MDM Premium and at mdm.com.
Other trends include:
- The millennial effect
- New wasy to approach training
- Shifting the focus of delivery
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. The full 2017 Distribution Trends Special Issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers.
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
HD Supply, Grainger, Wolseley, MSC Industrial adapt to new market realities.
Yet another divestiture helps distributor focus on core businesses.
President seeks to streamline infrastructure investment.
Gases & welding distributors agree to merge in $70 billion deal.
Trouble arises when management doesn't differentiate between policies and rules.
Stagnant growth could dash hopes of wide scale improvement.
Retired military officer brings battle-tested tips to the boardroom.
Financial, strategic buyers eager to add assets but will it last?
The merger and acquisition market has cooled a bit since 2015. But it remains strong and is forecasted to flourish in 2017 as private equity looks to deploy capital and strategic buyers look to buy growth in improving conditions. This article looks at the current M&A market in distribution and what’s on tap for the rest of the year.
This article includes:
- M&A performance
- What's dragging down market volume?
- What could alter M&A’s path in 2017
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Wholesale Distribution Disrupted, Part 2: Engage to Combat Disruption
- Top Trends for 2017
- ‘Digital Branch’ Strategy Drives AD eContent
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
Bloomberg report sheds light on larger $1 trillion investment plan.
Rebranding campaign centered on unified message of "reaching further."
Avnet recently launched a rebranding campaign with a new logo, color scheme, website and tagline – “Reach Further” – with the goal of creating a unified message that “symbolizes growth and possibility.” Associate Editor Eric Smith spoke with Avnet CEO Bill Amelio about how the rebranding campaign aligns with the company’s recent moves and industry trends.
This article includes:
- An overview of Avnet's rebranding campaign
- How the company is adapting and innovating as technology changes
- The future of the electronics industry
Subscribers should log-in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- The Evolving Role of Master Distributors
- A Growing Competitive Threat
- MDM Interview: Winsupply’s Winning Formula
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
BMC Stock Holdings, SRS Distribution, ABC Supply make moves during month.
To access this page, you must purchase MDM Premium Subscription, MDM Premium Subscription – Monthly or MDM Premium Subscription – Annually.
