Ensemble multispecies modelling and the BlueBRIDGE initiative
BlueBridge One: Trends in wholesale distribution, 2017.
-
Upload
bluebridgeone -
Category
Business
-
view
12 -
download
3
Transcript of BlueBridge One: Trends in wholesale distribution, 2017.
1
BlueBridge One: Trends in wholesale
distribution, 2017.
2
An unprecedented era of disruptive change.
Industry facing period of extensive change and growth from:
- Rapid developments in technology
- Altered patterns of consumer behaviour
- Changing customer expectations and requirements
- Emerging competitors from non-traditional sources
- Economic and political uncertainty following Brexit
3
Surviving and thriving in 2017
In order to best face the challenges that are ahead for the next twelve months, wholesale distribution businesses will need to:
§ Invest time and money into staying up to date with the latest technology
§ Make customer service a priority
§ Look at delivery speeds and services as a mission critical metric
§ Understand the biggest industry trends that are likely to make an impact
4
TREND #1: A new competitive landscape
The competitive landscape is changing in 2017, with rivalry in the marketplace coming from:
§ The physical expansion of known and existing competitors expanding their offerings geographically
§ Known competitors venturing into multi-channel selling, launching their products through new outlets such as e-commerce
§ The boom of less traditional competitors, such as retailers, moving into the wholesale distribution space e.g. Amazon
5
The threat of disruptive competitors
Disruptive competitors, such as Amazon, are moving into wholesale distribution territory, with the result that:
§ Alternative distributors can offer multiple lines of trade
§ Disruptors often benefit from low overheads, minimal infrastructure, and can maximise the latest technologies
§ Non-conformist disruptors don’t adhere to standard working practices, and are re-shaping and re-defining wholesale distribution
§ Disruptive competitors are looking to offer new ways of doing things, and drive changes in customer perceptions and expectations.
6
Challenges of competing with disruptors
To stay on a level footing with disruptive competitors, established wholesale distribution businesses need to:
§ Understand the value, or perceived added value, offered by new rivals
§ Predict how changes to working practices and the use of impressive technology will affect customer satisfaction and expectations
§ Consider how to minimise the effect of an increasingly competitive marketplace on their own enterprise
§ Review and upgrade their own strategies and procedures
§ Embrace and employ tactics used by emerging brands
7
TREND #2: The Brexit impact
The decision to leave the European Union has caused certain times ahead for wholesale distributors:
§ Inflation set to hit prices in 2017
§ Pound falling and rises in global commodity prices impacting the supply chain
§ Transactional changes, such as tax regulations, may come into force when dealing with the EU
§ Decrease in customer confidence and lower intent to buy
§ Ambigious future, with unknown trade negotiations ahead
8
Opportunities following Brexit
Brexit may also have a positive impact for wholesale distributors who are equipped to spot and maximise the opportunities available:
§ Exporters already benefitting, with the currency change making it cheaper for international customers to buy from you
§ Likely new trade deals with countries outside of the EU
§ Growth in short term sales for some sectors, such as fashion, as consumers bring purchases forward to beat long term inflation
§ Emphasis on ensuring entire operation is running at optimum efficiency to cope with coming demands
9
TREND #3: Customer at the heart
Savvy shoppers have shifting expectations as they buy around the clock and from a variety of devices, and have less loyalty to individual brands. Wholesale distributors need to strive to meet new standards of care and engagement in 2017.
§ Industry focus is moving away from product, and towards customer service
§ Improving customer care encourages brand loyalty in a disruptive landscape
§ Delivering a cohesive customer experience across various platforms is vital for multi-channel sellers
§ Add and upgrade channels for customer service, such as online chat
10
TREND #4: AI and emerging tech
Advancements in the development of future tech look set to impact wholesale distribution further in 2017, as enterprises explore or adopt systems such as:
§ Robotics
§ The Internet of Things
§ Check-out less shopping, as seen at Amazon Go
§ Drone and autonomous delivery
The use of these technologies affects warehouse management, inventory handling, order fulfilment, delivery and the retail experience.
11
TREND #5: Faster delivery required
The increased pace of trading and digitally enabled consumption means that customers now expect a more immediate delivery experience.
§ Delivery speed now becoming a differentiator for customers when selecting a brand to buy from
§ Time to fulfil orders should now be a key metric for wholesale distributors
§ Workflow efficiencies should be reviewed and improved to make processes quicker
§ New delivery solutions can be explored, such as Click and Collect
§ Technology can be utilised to increase the pace of order processing or delivery speeds.
12
Summary
§ 2017 will be another year of digital revolution and a rapid increase in pace
§ Customer expectations are changing, and wholesale distributors need to anticipate and ultimately meet these new demands
§ Emerging technology will continue to change and impact the way we work and our view of the shopping experience
§ Brexit will bring economic uncertainty, with both challenges and opportunities for wholesale distributors
§ Emphasis is moving towards customer relationships and providing the best possible standards of service
§ Competition will come from less traditional and unexpected sources
§ Delivery speed should be considered a mission critical metric
13
Why BlueBridge One?
§ Most experienced NetSuite integrator operating across the UK and EMEA
§ Award winning NetSuite solutions for multichannel distribution
§ Wealth of organisational knowledge for developing Wholesale Distribution solutions
§ Provide business solutions to 350+ growing and mid-size companies
§ Customer deployments range from 2 to 100+ NetSuite users
§ Committed to delivering value and developing enduring partnerships
§ Rapid deployment to ensure fastest time to recoup ROI
14
Full white paper
§ Download the full white paper: The outlook for wholesale distribution in 2017
§ http://www.bluebridgeone.com/s.nl/it.I/id.150/.f
15
BlueBridge One www.bluebridgeone.com