McKesson on Sunday began distributing Moderna's coronavirus vaccine for delivery by UPS and FedEx. Officials with Operation Warp Speed say 5.9 million doses of the vaccine will be sent out this week.
Amazon is making 10 million items eligible for free one-day delivery for Prime members until Dec. 23 with no purchase minimum, and it is also making millions eligible for same-day delivery until Dec. 24 for members in select locations who spend at least $35. Amazon also extended its return deadline for items purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, and it will begin accepting returns at more than 500 Whole Foods Markets locations, in addition to its Amazon, Kohl's, Hub Locker and UPS drop-off locations.
SmartFocus on the Omnichannel Journey The consumer journey is ever-changing, with more shoppers than ever moving from in-store to digital purchasing while also looking for a seamless combination of the two methods. In this Walmart Media Group whitepaper, we look at how omnipowered solutions are being accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, helping brands reach customers in new ways – wherever they shop. Download now
Distributors must use high-quality online product content and data to effectively serve customers via their e-commerce websites, executives said during a recent webcast. "Efficient transactions are really important to the consumer," said Christian Wiltrout, global chief operating officer of manufacturer SureWerx.
Distributors that haven't already begun using Android mobile technology for their supply chains should do so because it improves results and productivity and is user-friendly, writes Jody Costa of Barcoding, Inc. Costa recommends having "a thoughtful adoption plan" involving various kinds of training.
Maintaining Business Continuity in 2021 This year, every business needed to reassess how to do more with less overnight. Genpak was able to keep customers supplied and supported during these tough times using tools like sales order automation. Genpak's Director of Customer Service joined leaders at Conexiom to discuss how they were able to maintain continuity during the pandemic. Watch the on-demand webinar to learn from their experience.
Sales leaders should prepare their teams for 2021 by emphasizing the value of upselling, cross-selling and downselling, writes Philip Piletic. Encourage salespeople to be proactive in working with customers and to share helpful information with prospects whenever possible, Piletic advises.
Top business-to-business marketing trends for 2021 include the use of artificial intelligence to improve customer experience, a long-term content strategy and optimizing for voice search, Yash Chawlani writes. Among the other trends highlighted are an increased focus on influencer marketing, the prioritization of LinkedIn, witty email marketing and the importance of video and augmented reality.
Improve and accelerate your testing program In order to meet 2021 goals, retailers must improve their customers' experiences and drive better relationships with their audience across points of contact. In this on-demand webinar, testing experts discuss best practices for unlocking the full potential of automation, as well as how to use crowdtesting to optimize user feedback and how to apply AI for identifying and preventing defects. Watch now
Ebenezer Scrooge has a revelation about the power of his former boss, Mr. Fezziwig, when he revisits his workplace with the ghost of Christmas past, noting, "He has the power to render us happy or unhappy." Scott Cochrane suggests leaders ask, "Are those who have been influenced by my leadership this year generally happier, or unhappier, than they were a year ago?"
There are seven ways to occupy our time that can bring meaning to your life, writes Mary Ann McColl of Queen's University, especially during a pandemic. Think of yourself as a master of your life instead of a victim, create diversions to reduce anxiety, and provide support to others, she suggests.
Transforming retail and CPG: what's next? As the world becomes increasingly digital, retail success will be shaped by the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. Get ideas for business transformation and success in the "new" normal, including: personalized promotions and product recommendations, loyalty program management, auto-populated and personalized carts and chatbots, frictionless checkout, and more! Get the Google Cloud report
NAW's first Digital Summit, Jan. 27-28, will be an event like none other hosted in the history of NAW. As we turn the page on 2020 and enter 2021, our event will focus on "Leading in a Time of Transition." This highly interactive virtual event will capture your attention from start to finish. We're including some surprise content and speakers you'll only experience if you attend our event. New this year are 5- and 10-pack registrations, so bring more team members with you to this event. Register today!
In his post, David Bauders, CEO of SPARXiQ, discusses how 2020 has been a tough year for most distribution sales teams. In certain markets, shifting consumption patterns have spurred rapid growth. Customers increasingly engage with suppliers through e-commerce, market platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba, and virtual meeting platforms. He says these new, emerging buyer and seller engagement models present compelling value and efficiencies that are certain to endure beyond the pandemic. Read his post.
With 2020 winding down, this month may be the perfect time to catch up on the latest knowledge in the distribution industry so you're ready for 2021! Get informed through FREE research reports and webinars from NAW through its 7-part series, How Technology Will Transform Wholesale Distribution. Based on research conducted in 2020 with wholesaler-distributors, manufacturers and distributor customers, this series will provide the intelligence you need to formulate new strategies for 2021 and ensure that your company thrives through this era of technology disruption and transformation.
