I was in Costco the other weekend stocking up like many families do on all sorts of items, from groceries and pharmacy items to a bathing suit for my daughter, and a video game for my nephew’s birthday. I stopped and peered into my cart, then down the surrounding aisles and mentally noted that absolutely everything under the sun was available to me inside these four walls. There were vacuums, small appliances, televisions, DVDs, furniture, pool supplies, grills, toys, pet supplies and even tires if I so desired. I could even go as far as booking a family vacation through Costco Travel.
If I was going to step back into the not so long ago past, to let’s say 1985, shopping for all of these items would require me to make at least 10 different stops. By the time I was finished all this shopping it would have taken me all day long, possibly an entire tank of gas and I would be exhausted. Convenience definitely has advantages for consumers.
Moving forward into 2011 once again, I see a similar trend beginning to swell within our industry. The terms, “one-stop shop” and “solutions provider” have become industry catch phrases. As distributors, you already have access to that warehouse filled with a variety of product, right? So you are good, right?
Of that, I am not so sure. I feel this one-stop shop has become more than aisles of variety in terms of product. It is the solutions part that is worthy of increased consideration.
The warehouse of tomorrow is quickly approaching. Inside those four walls, while it is important to have the greatest variety of product readily available, it is not enough. Inside this warehouse, a distributor needs to have a deep well of creativity, ideas, marketing and technology know-how.
It seems the sky is the limit as to the goods and services your business may one day be asked to provide. I am excited to see where the next few years take us and how the distributor warehouse of products evolves. If any of your businesses have already adjusted or are in the process of adjusting to this new wave, drop me a line and tell me about it. I’d love to hear your story and see how the future is shaping up for you.
- Categories:
- Distributor News
- Miscellaneous
- People:
- Nichole Stella