Bob Palmer has become C&S Wholesale Grocers CEO, returning to the company from which he retired last year as chief procurement officer. Palmer replaces Michael Duffy.

Sonepar subsidiary Vallen expects to increase its use of automation and robotics at warehouses, says IT executive Alan Gosnell, who praises employees for their response to pandemic conditions. "Those deep relationships provided the basis for us all -- customers, vendors and associates -- to collaborate rapidly to the changing business conditions," he says.

Shopify's new-store count increased 71% in the second quarter compared to the previous three months, while quarterly revenue came in at $714.3 million, almost twice the previous year's figure. Volume on the Shopify Fulfillment Network more than doubled from Q1 to Q2, director Thomas Epting said.

Distributors can better manage returns by using warehouse management systems, writes Eric Allais, president and CEO of WMS company PathGuide Technologies. WMS technology helps fulfill orders faster with fewer mistakes, reducing the need for returns, and also helps monitor inventory through the return process, he writes.

Business-to-business industrial distributors can use data science and software to provide e-commerce customers with consistent, real-time pricing and self-service price negotiations using automation, writes Pete Eppele of Zilliant. "By reimagining the traditional approach to pricing, companies can rise to meet the challenge of e-commerce, particularly in the wake of COVID-19," he writes.

A customer service process that makes it easy to solve problems in real time, conveniently and safely will increase satisfaction and loyalty, writes Female Factor CEO Bridget Brennan. "A truly great customer experience doesn't just solve a problem: it offers an element of delight that people want to participate in again and again," she writes.

Reopening companies requires a certain mix of collaboration and compliance, especially around safety, and that entails storytelling instead of simply a list of rules, says Kellogg School of Management associate professor Loran Nordgren. "Help them interpret those moments not as a signal that the protocols aren't important and real, but instead that everyone has a role and choice to play in how they are being followed," Nordgren says.

Manufacturers are reevaluating their distribution strategies in real time as channels undergo technology-driven disruption. Some suppliers are choosing to sell directly to end users, while others are betting on marketplaces -- or relying on traditional distributors. On this 60-minute webinar, which is based on original research with manufacturers during COVID-19, Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein of Distribution Strategy Group will discuss how manufacturers see emerging technologies transforming distribution channels. Register now for this Oct. 20, 2 p.m., webinar.

What will be the impact of AI on distributor sales and operations? While AI hasn't transformed distribution yet, the change is coming soon. Integral to research being done by the NAW Institute is hearing directly from distributor executives. Will you please spare 5-10 minutes to help ensure that we get the most accurate data to inform this research? All individual answers will be kept confidential. In return for your time, we'll send you benchmark data on your AI readiness, and an AI opportunity analysis upon your request. Take the survey.

Designed for C-suite executives, these virtual roundtables provide actionable strategies that will help put your COVID-19 recovery plan in place! Companies belonging to this community are from distribution firms between $100 million and up to a billion in annual sales. You'll engage in robust conversations with your peers and hear from industry experts on topics to help your business transition to the new normal -- all in the comfort of your own office/home! Register today.