Everyone is an expert in pricing. It’s either too high or too low based upon your role. Salespeople like it low. Management wants it high. The customer wants it “right” which, usually means “competitive” or “It’s reasonable for the value […]
In talking with distributors and manufacturers it is clear that many are actively in the planning and pivoting mode, moving from survivability to thriveability. They’ve stabilized their business financially, emotionally (from a staff viewpoint) and operationally. Now they are looking […]
Being global can have its ups and down. As a company you become susceptible to currency issues as well as differing economic challenges. It appears that Rexel is benefiting in areas of the globe but suffering here in North America […]
In a market where most experience margin stagnation or margin erosion, strategies that can help improve profitability, potentially capture sales and as enhance / ensure quality processes, should be embraced. One of these strategies, which we’ve highlighted this fall, is […]
In a penny nickel business, every penny counts. Which is why SPAs can matter. Increasing gross margins and, more importantly, net profitability, in today’s environment is extremely challenging. Publicly-held national chains such as Rexel and WESCO report net profitability in […]
In an age of analytics and process automation, two industry-focused companies have recently come together to enhance services for the industry … SPA (Strategic Pricing Associates) and Jigsaw Systems. SPA historically has been focused on improving distributor profitability through improved […]
SPAs, special pricing agreements, were originally conceived to ensure the integrity of local market into stock, and “street” pricing while providing distributors and manufacturers with a targeted sales pricing tool to deploy on an account-specific basis. The definition of “account-specific” […]
Competing on price is a “no no” for many distributors. Few want to say “the reason why people buy from me is price.” But, do all of your customers want to buy from you for your service, people or your […]
Home Depot’s retiring CFO’s interview last night with Jim Cramer on CNBC shared a glimpse of why electrical distributors who serve small to mid-sized residential and commercial distributors should be concerned. And it’s all about pricing. The home improvement (perhaps […]
Last week we released our Q2 Pulse of Lighting report and Acuity, the following day, released their Q3 earnings (they are on a fiscal year). The commonality appears to be “a market in flux”. While Acuity claims share increase in […]
David Gordon
Channel Marketing Group
919-488-8635
