{"id":7610,"date":"2021-11-01T02:23:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T06:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/?p=7610"},"modified":"2026-01-15T11:55:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:55:47","slug":"distributors-can-remain-relevant-in-a-direct-to-consumer-world-but-need-more-than-a-fancy-e-commerce-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/distributors-can-remain-relevant-in-a-direct-to-consumer-world-but-need-more-than-a-fancy-e-commerce-website\/","title":{"rendered":"How distributors can remain relevant in a direct-to-consumer world"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Asavin\"\t\t\t\tAsavin Wattanajantra<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Tesla Motors. Inc has evolved from car manufacturer to technology company with its inspired direct-to-consumer approach (DTC).<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers can order the luxury electric cars through their phones or from Tesla-owned showrooms, cutting out the franchised dealerships that other automobile companies use.  That means better customer experience, no costly dealer mark-ups, and product, service and brand standards are controlled in-house. What\u2019s not to like?<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a wholesale distributor, that\u2019s not exactly music to your ears. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, your bread and butter is working with manufacturers in the supply chain, managing logistics, warehousing and sales, to sell to retailers in bulk. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in recent times, a network of distributors is no longer the simplest and most straightforward way for manufacturers to get their products to customers. Manufacturers and brands like Tesla are instead using DTC business models, in the pursuit of bigger margins, more efficiency, and better customer service. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is actually, an opportunity for distributors; to modernize your processes and become a more exciting proposition to customers in your own right. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From personalised, omnichannel customer offerings to value-added services, here are the things a checklist of things you need to do to be a valued partner in this new DTC landscape.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improve your customer experience<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Implement an effective e-commerce presence and seamless customer experience, just like an online retailer would do. Customers no longer expect (or want) sales calls, meetings and other types of offline transaction. They want to find what they want quickly \u2013 give them the tools to research and purchase from your inventory quickly.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through selling directly to customers, you can capture and analyse their data. This immediately puts you in an excellent position to meet the modern demand for a more tailored and personalized experience. What are your best and worst sellers? Who is your best recurring customer? What are their sales buying habits? Already, you are learning about what inventory to restock or edit away, and how to give customers what they want more or less of. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you promote your service as directly linked to the behind-the-scenes and real-time distribution information that may give an improved customer support and service function. Ensure the chain of communication is short, so it is easier to handle service delays and returns, and make sure that your approach is customer friendly.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add more value through services<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on the strength of your customer experience, customers will want to work with you again and again. The power of your brand will depend more on above-and-beyond customer care and service.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may already simple value-added services such as product selection, picking, packing and shipping. However, digital transformation offers you ways to differentiate your business from the competition by providing services that add value and which you can charge extra for such as:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n