MSC Industrial Supply has launched MSC MillMax, a digital service to help its manufacturer customers reduce costs and increase productivity in metalworking operations. The service provides computerized ways to take measurements for milling more efficiently.
With the support of C&S Wholesale Grocers, the independent owners of several Piggly Wiggly stores are buying two Bi-Lo locations from Southeastern Grocers. The sale helps SEG continue its divesture of the Bi-Lo banner and will expand the Piggly Wiggly brand to new sites in Pooler, Ga., and Lexington, S.C.
E-commerce technology platform provider Spryker Systems has raised more than $130 million from four investors. The German company, now valued at $500 million, plans to use the funding to develop its B2B technology and expand in the US.
Designing + Managing the Agile Supply Chain COVID-19 has caused havoc on supply chains worldwide. Designing and Managing the Agile Supply Chain for the Future, a new Wharton LIVE program, is for executives who want to build supply chains that can withstand any future shocks. Starts Jan 27. Apply Now!
Automation will continue to be important for distributors in 2021, but the emphasis will be on artificial intelligence-enabled "touchless automation," as well as the technology's measurable outcomes and returns on investment, writes Judd Marcello of Conexiom. He also expects B2B companies to focus more on customer experience and on "doing more with less."
The trucking industry will have a "transitional year" in 2021, including an expected wait until midyear before a return to normal. "We're seeing things that will warrant permanent change later on as these different carriers take the lessons learned and revise their strategies to address customer demands," says Farrah Salim, senior principal analyst from Gartner.
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.
Business-to-business marketers can innovatively employ intent data to boost growth, writes Scratch Marketing + Media's Lora Kratchounova. Her five recommendations include using intent data to predict customer churn and target retention efforts, and to personalize thought leadership content to individual prospects.
Marketing experts reveal their top trends in customer experience for 2021, including the need for companies to be socially aware, to balance customer privacy with personalization and for business-to-business firms to be more innovative. "We must conform our solutions to give customers what they want when they need it in order to succeed," says Conexiom CEO Ray Grady, while SevenRooms' Marybeth Sheppard notes, "There will be a greater need for connectivity, fluidity and balance between professional and personal."
[SmartFocus] Connecting Brands and Shoppers 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
Stay in control of your emotions during a conflict by de-escalating your reactions as the other person grows more agitated, writes Gary Genard. "The rule of thumb is: the louder your opponent becomes, the softer you should be in reply," he writes.
Use the challenges of the pandemic to think in more creative ways, explore new products and services and collaborate on new projects or repurpose old offerings, writes John Klein. "Truly innovative leaders use even the worst of circumstances to cultivate long-term change," he writes.
How retailers should embrace the new normal The pandemic has reshaped consumer behaviors and the customer experience, most likely permanently. As we look to 2021, retailers need to focus on planning for the future with strategies that meet both the immediate and long-term needs of their customers and maximize the potential of all their sales channels. Watch SmartBrief and retail industry experts explore how the retail landscape has changed this year and how retailers can succeed in 2021.
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!
NAW Institute Fellow Mark Dancer says, "Many distributors report a dramatic shift toward customer orders placed on e-commerce platforms. This trend has confirmed what many have said for several years: distributors must invest in modern e-commerce platforms to remain a viable source for meeting customer expectations. But is doing so enough? Is there a more vital lesson that many distributors are missing? Will distribution miss a critical opportunity for locking in unbreakable customer loyalty if they remain blind to the bigger picture?" Read more.
Reducing expenses is more important than ever. Cloud-based AR technology from NAW Trusted Partner Unified Payments Group brings modular payment acceptance solutions to existing ERPs and CRMs, including Epicor Profit 21, Salesforce and more. See the demo of automated cash application solutions for ERPs and 0% Cost Credit Card Acceptance with compliant surcharge technology.
