Insights

The growing popularity of e-commerce for retail has had a significant impact on distribution as well. As per the Digital commerce 360 report, 41% of wholesalers surveyed call eCommerce their top sales channel, up from 31% that the same survey had indicated, an year earlier. 88% B2B purchasers prefer to shop via eCommerce, according to an MDM - Baird Distribution Survey.

As competitive forces and margin pressure reign supreme, manufacturers and distributors are bracing themselves for what’s ahead in 2018. While some are embracing the challenges and responding to the current marketplace by taking advantage of those challenges and preparing for growth, there are several who are still scrambling to adapt.

Here are the biggest trends that we are seeing in 2018. By developing a plan for these trends, there is an opportunity for executive leadership to convert challenges into opportunities.

The above visual shows the complexity involved in managing a collaborative Supply Chain.

In recent times, technology has impacted the way people communicate, work and live in the world. Apart from digitally enabled sectors such as IT and BFSI, agriculture, CPG, and food processing, Distribution and supply chain operations are also on the road to digital transformation. Further, complete digital disruption has led to changes in the way businesses are functioning.

Born digital companies that have created platform-based business models such as Facebook, Uber, Amazon, Airbnb, etc. have become tremendously successful and created immense value. Accustomed to the new enhanced "digital way of life", consumers are less tolerant towards user experiences that do not offer interactivity, convenience, and compelling pricing models