{"id":70410,"date":"2022-11-07T10:52:18","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T08:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=70410"},"modified":"2025-05-07T15:50:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:50:35","slug":"distributors-relevant-direct-to-consumer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/distributors-relevant-direct-to-consumer\/","title":{"rendered":"Direct-to-consumer distribution: Is it right for your business?"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/growth-customers\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Growth &amp; Customers<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDirect-to-consumer distribution: Is it right for your business?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-11-07T10:52:18+02:00\">November 7, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Direct-to-consumer distribution: Is it right for your business?\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/distributors-relevant-direct-to-consumer\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/asavinwattanajantra\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/03\/Asavin-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Asavin\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/03\/Asavin-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/03\/Asavin-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/03\/Asavin-810x810.jpg 810w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/03\/Asavin.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Asavin 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<p class=\"\">With its innovative direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, Tesla Motors has changed from a car company to a tech company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Tesla doesn&#8217;t use franchised dealerships as other car companies do. Instead, customers can order high-end electric cars from their phones or from showrooms that Tesla owns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This means that customers will have a better experience, there won&#8217;t be any expensive markups from dealers, and product, service, and brand standards will be set in-house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">What\u2019s not to like?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">As a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/sage-x3\/\">wholesale distributor<\/a>, that\u2019s not exactly music to your ears.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Traditionally, your main job was to work with manufacturers in the supply chain and manage logistics, storage, and sales in order to sell in bulk to retailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">But in recent years, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/direct-vs-indirect-distribution-choosing-a-channel\/\">network of distributors<\/a> is no longer the easiest and most direct way for companies to get their products to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Instead, companies like Tesla are using DTC business models to make more money, be more efficient, and give better customer service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This is actually a chance for distributors to update their processes and offer something more interesting to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Here is a list of what you need to do to be a valued partner in this new direct-to-consumer landscape, from personalised, omnichannel customer offerings to value-added services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In this article, we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Enhance your customer experience<\/li><li>Offer more value-adding services<\/li><li>Use the right infrastructure to take advantage of customer data<\/li><li>Get everyone on board<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Enhance your customer experience&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/choose-your-own-ecommerce-adventure\/\">Implement an effective e-commerce presence<\/a> and seamless customer experience, just like an online retailer would do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Customers no longer expect or want sales calls, meetings, and other offline transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">They want to get what they are looking for. Quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Give them the tools they need to easily do research and buy directly from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If you sell directly to customers, you can gather their information and analyse it. This puts you in a great position right away to meet the demand for a more tailored and personalised experience in the modern world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Use your data to answer these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What are your best- and worst-selling items?&nbsp;<\/li><li>Who is your most loyal customer?&nbsp;<\/li><li>What are their sales buying habits?&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Already, you are learning which items to restock or get rid of, and how to give customers more or less of what they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Make sure you tell people that your service is directly linked to behind-the-scenes and real-time information about distribution, which could give you better customer service and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Also, ensure the line of communication is short so that service delays and returns are easier to deal with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">And make sure that your approach is friendly to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Offer more value-adding services&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Depending on how well you treat your customers, they will want to do business with you again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">More than ever, the strength of your brand will depend on how well you care for and serve your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You may already offer simple services that add value, such as choosing products, picking them up, packing them, and sending them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">But digital transformation gives you new ways to set your business apart from the competition by offering services that add value and for which you can charge more, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Product installation and component assembly<\/li><li>Product customisation<\/li><li>Field service, maintenance,&nbsp;and quality inspection<\/li><li>In-house repair<\/li><li>Just-in-time delivery<\/li><li>Consulting<\/li><li>Training and education<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Even though e-commerce will get a lot of attention, it&#8217;s important to remember that there are other ways to reach customers. This means that you need to have an omnichannel mindset in all the ways you interact with the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use the right infrastructure to take advantage of customer data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If you want to move towards a DTC strategy, you&#8217;ll need to grow your business to take on these new responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You may need to update your data and analytics software to put all of your information in one place. This helps you manage distribution processes efficiently from beginning to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/sage-x3\/\">the right software<\/a>, you can plan when you need to build up inventory or scale down and run with less inventory, depending on how much demand there is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Since you know where and when inventory will be available, you can make commitments or give people what they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Better product knowledge and customer data analysis will give you market insights that will help you answer questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What products sell and which do not in which markets?<\/li><li>Which international markets should you concentrate your efforts on?<\/li><li>Which customers should you prioritise in order to maximise profits?<\/li><li>How are your customers&#8217; interests and needs changing?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lastly, get everyone on board&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Going direct-to-consumer is more than just making a fancy e-commerce site and is likely to require a big change in how you do business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Working to integrate DTC processes could mean making big changes to how you work and getting buy-in from key stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It might need reorganising, more money, new staff, and different ways of doing things, as well as training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Setting up an e-commerce strategy may affect the sales side of your business, and you&#8217;ll need to invest and put safeguards in place to make sure your digital strategy gets the required return on investment.<\/p>\n \n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Move beyond ERP with Sage X3<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Take control of your entire business.<\/p>\n<p>From supply chain to sales with Sage Business Cloud X3. Software for established businesses looking for greater efficiency, flexibility, and insight.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/sage-x3\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-621\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Watch Now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Woman in audience raising her hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice enewsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get a roundup of our best business advice in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-84fe79b5-668d-41f8-a0cc-6229018c4ac9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/erp\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tERP\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/inventory-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinventory management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/supply-chain-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupply chain management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-76318 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-accountants tag-audit tag-bookkeeping tag-inventory-management business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T15:45:55+02:00\">June 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">17 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/abc-analysis\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWhat is ABC analysis in inventory management? Definition, steps and examples\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tKeen to make your inventory management more efficient? This guide explains ABC analysis, a vital technique for categorising inventory with the potential to impact cash flow, profitability, and overall business health.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-76100 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-cloud-financial-management tag-financial-insights tag-profit-loss tag-supply-chain-management business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accounts-payable-management-best-practices\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-1213x810.jpg 1213w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-30T15:34:41+02:00\">April 30, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAccounts payable best practices for AP management\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-70082 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-business-planning tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management tag-erp tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-manufacturers-can-unlock-value-from-the-circular-economy\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-24T15:14:40+02:00\">November 24, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow manufacturers can unlock value from the circular economy\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-69137 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-inventory-management tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-digital-transformation-enables-the-shift-to-smart-sustainable-manufacturing\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-18T13:04:00+02:00\">November 18, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow digital transformation enables the shift to smart, sustainable manufacturing\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-69251 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-erp tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/7-ways-to-reduce-costs-in-manufacturing\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-17T15:28:40+02:00\">November 17, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t7\u00a0ways to reduce costs in manufacturing\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how distributors can remain as valued partners to brands and manufacturers that are embracing the direct-to-consumer model.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":356,"featured_media":69713,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[187,193,212],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[346],"persona":[7,9,10,13],"imagine_tag":[98,56,78,79],"coauthors":[402],"class_list":["post-70410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth-customers","tag-erp","tag-inventory-management","tag-supply-chain-management","business_type-medium-business","industry-manufacturing"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"Asavin Wattanajantra","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-93912664.jpg","imagine_tags":{"98":"Distribution","56":"ERP","78":"Supply Chain Management","79":"Supply management"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice South 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