Amazon Business is projected to become the top US industrial distributor by sales volume by next year because of its rapid growth, writes Nicholas Johnson of Applico. Amazon's top vertical is maintenance, repair and operations, followed by automotive and office supplies.

Grainger reported $173 million in net income on $3 billion in revenue for the first quarter, with sales up by 5.5% on a daily basis over the prior-year period. Chairman and CEO D.G. Macpherson outlined the company's preparation for the coronavirus pandemic's effects, how it's protecting workers and what it's doing financially to save money and access cash.

Sysco has laid off 176 workers in response to pandemic-related cutbacks in the restaurant business. Separately, the company's Canadian subsidiary has created Sysco@HOME, an online grocery-ordering service in Canada.

Plans to return from pandemic-related closures start with sick employees staying home, say the co-founders of Tiesta Tea, where managers take workers' temperatures, sanitize work stations, and provide gowns, gloves and masks. Coronavirus recommendations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration include separating desks and equipment, creating a plan to isolate sick people, and establishing staggered work days or shifts.

Nielsen's Lana Busignani explains four best practices to help marketers maximize digital campaigns, including investing in digital channels that deliver the highest return on investment and making data quality a top priority to ensure effective targeting. Test small campaigns on connected TV to explore its potential for your brand and step up customer retention efforts, she recommends.

As teams are led from a distance, it's important for CEOs to communicate compassionately, even through a screen. Tips for empathetic communication include using caring body language, being flexible, holding one-on-one meetings and demonstrating open communication, writes Beck Bamberger, founder of BAM Communications.

Many distributors are reporting that the coronavirus crisis is leading to an increase in online ordering and virtual interactions with their customer service reps and inside salespeople. As this trend takes root, it may shift customer interactions away from a distributor's field salespeople. As a result, salespeople may be defensive or uncomfortable. However, if customer behaviors are changing, there is a huge opportunity for your sales force around creating new value for customers. Read this post.

At this critical time for the economy, online payment acceptance can mean the difference in whether you're paid. Stream the podcast from NAW Trusted Partner Unified to learn how replacing paper check acceptance with an easy-to-use "PayNOW" link on your website allows customers to pay in real time, online with credit card.