Do the long-term benefits outweigh the upfront cost?
Latest In eCommerce
Reasoning for and consequences of not investing in e-commerce.
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:
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Prioritizing Big Data
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution, Part 2: Integrate or Stagnate
E-commerce and expansion are top of mind for distributors.
This article is part of MDM's 2015 Distribution Trends Special Issue. It provides a look at the role e-commerce plays in distribution and how distributors are adapting.
The annual feature was researched and written by MDM editors based on interviews with dozens of wholesaler-distributors, as well as industry experts and manufacturers. MDM also conducted a survey of its readers to uncover the trends outlined in this issue.
The full special issue is available to download in PDF format to MDM Premium subscribers. Subscribe below for full access. Or log-in if you are already a subscriber.
Trends outlined in the 2015 report include:
- Good News, Bad News for U.S. Economy
- Distributors Get Back to the Basics
- ‘Doubling Down’ on Distributor Relationships
- Distributors Embrace, Expand Online Customer Base
- Distributors Seeking ‘Lean’ Supply Chain
- Distributors Adapt to More Sophisticated Supply Chain
- Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting
- Distributors Change Tune on Generational Shift
- Trend Snapshots for 13 Sectors
The report also includes the following case studies and interviews:
- 2015 MDM Market Movers
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
- Plumbers Supply’s “Win-Win-Win-Win”
- MDM Market Leader Profiles
- Culture Drives Success for ERIKS North America
- TTI’s Strategic Approach to Global Growth
Retail giant's online marketplace gives companies e-commerce channel.
Distributors with subpar websites lose customers as well as transactions.
This report, now available in PDF format, is a benefit for MDM Premium subscribers. Simply log-in below to access and download this series of articles. Not a subscriber? Subscribe below.
This report provides an in-depth look at the current state of e-commerce in distribution. Based on the results of the 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution Survey, this report examines how the industrys e-commerce offerings are maturing. Distributor reluctance to launch e-commerce capabilities and the integrated marketing approach are also discussed.
Articles included in this special report:
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution: E-Commerce on Path to Maturity
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution, Part 2: Integrate or Stagnate
- The 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution Webcast Slides & Survey Results
Click on the link below to download this special report in PDF format.
The fourth annual MDM distribution e-commerce survey conducted with Real Results Marketing revealed that the barrier to entry for e-commerce has lessened, but distributors are still deciding if they should launch e-commerce capability on their websites.
Part 1 of this series showed how the industry’s e-commerce offerings are maturing.
This article includes:
- Why distributors might be reluctant to launch an e-commerce capability
- Marketing vehicle effectiveness and spend
- An overview of the integrated marketing approach
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:
- Amazons B2B Move Reduces Threat
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- Industry 4.0: Technology-Driven Change
To thank you for your business and add value to your MDM Premium subscription, MDM offers bonus content each month exclusively to premium subscribers.
This month we feature 10 Tech Tips for 2015. Top distribution executives such as Grainger Vice President of Global E-Commerce Paul Miller and industry experts such as MDM Publisher Thomas P. Gale share their secrets for creating a digital strategy and making e-commerce a priority.
This content is exclusively available as bonus content to MDM subscribers. Log-in below to download the PDF of this month's report.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe now starting at $195.
Distributors can benefit from online sales migration, changing demands from business buyers.
Line between B2B and B2C continues to blur.
Amazon Business has replaced AmazonSupply as the Internet retailers B2B website, which hopes to bring businesses a B2C shopping experience to B2B.
This article includes:
- Why Amazon Business is less threatening to distributors
- What to expect from Amazon’s new B2B marketplace
- Amazon’s goals for Amazon Business
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:
- Digital Common Sense Versus Amazon
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution: E-Commerce on Path to Maturity
Webcast: Mid-market and small companies finding it easier to launch online platform
Amazon Business includes marketplace that allows companies to sell through Amazon.
New marketplace has features and benefits tailored to businesses.
New site has improved navigation and a more robust search engine.
To thank you for your business and add value to your MDM Premium subscription, MDM offers bonus content each month exclusively to premium subscribers.
This month we feature a transcript of the MDM Webcast "2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution," which examines the latest trends and best practices for distributors as more move online. The webcast features Thomas P. Gale, Publisher, Modern Distribution Management; Jonathan Bein, Senior Partner, Real Results Marketing; and John Fisher, Global Head of B2B Marketing, hybris software, an SAP Company.
This content is exclusively available as bonus content to MDM subscribers. Log-in below to download the PDF of this month's report.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe now starting at $195.
Distributors increasing online initiatives but spending more time in early stages.
Move beyond a defensive mindset for investing in digital.
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:
- Improve Market Access to Unlock Potential
- Think Globally, Service Locally
- Strategic Options for Shipping Efficiency
The fourth annual MDM distribution e-commerce survey conducted with Real Results Marketing revealed several key trends:
- The percentage of companies with at least 10 percent of their total revenue from e-commerce grew 14 percent in 2014 from 2013.
- Barriers to entry for deploying an e-commerce site have dropped significantly, allowing many more mid-market and small distributors to sell online.
- The primary objectives among distributors for e-commerce remain acquiring new customers, enhancing their company brands and improving the user experience.
- Distributor satisfaction with mobile enablement on their e-commerce site and mobile applications increased in 2014 from 2013, while satisfaction with mobile optimized websites remained the same.
This article examines the results of the 2015 State of E-Commerce in Distribution Survey and how the industry’s e-commerce offerings are maturing. Part 2 will look at best practices for distributor-integrated marketing approaches to support electronic shopping and buying.
This article includes:
- E-commerce top priorities
- Satisfaction with e-commerce platforms
- Implications for the future of e-commerce
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:
- Overcoming the Barriers to Analytics
- Grainger Tackles the Data Challenge
- Historical E-Commerce Trends in Distribution
