Though the fallout for distributors from COVID-19 continued to be a hot topic in April, news on Amazon Business garnered the most attention from MDM readers during the month. New data show the enormous number of SKUs available on the platform and that it may be poised to become the top industrial distributor in the U.S.

Is Amazon Business Becoming the No. 1 Industrial Distributor in the U.S.?

By: Nick Johnson

Amazon Business’s growth is not equally distributed. It has excelled in certain areas of B2B and struggled in others. Platform consultancy Applico shares the top verticals for Amazon Business, including number of products listed and category sellers. Read More.

Support Your Customers: Don’t Stop Selling Because of Coronavirus
By: John Gunderson

In a few short weeks, coronavirus has dealt a blow to in-person meetings and personal relationship selling. But now is not the time to stop selling, argues MDM’s John Gunderson. He frames the importance of continuity in your company’s sales process in this time of crisis and thoughts on how to deepen the value those relationships have built over many years. Read More.

COVID-19 Response: Distributors Take Hit in Late March, Move to Weather Q2

By: Elizabeth Galentine

The coronavirus hit distribution hard in the second half of March, according to a first look at the latest MDM-Baird quarterly survey. Distributors are acting quickly to protect the balance sheet and cash flow. In this recap of an MDM LIVE program, panelists shared the latest numbers on how quickly distributor revenue is declining, as well as what distributors are doing now to stem losses and conserve cash. Read More.

7 Predictions for Distributors on Near-Term COVID-19 Economic Consequences

By: Elizabeth Galentine

Industry consultants Mike Marks and Brent Grover shared accounts of distributors who are acting quickly to adjust their business models to reflect new coronavirus realities during the weekly MDM Live COVID-19 webcast. They described why transparency is paramount in making the most of employee, bank and supplier relationships during the pandemic. Read More.

A 3-Part Plan to Grow Business During the Coronavirus Crisis

By: Benj Cohen

In a matter of weeks, months and years, distributors can develop a strategy to differentiate your business and strengthen your market position in the face of this COVID-19 pandemic. Proton.ai’s Benj Cohen lays out a timeline approach to reclaim market share, strengthen AI and create market differentiation. Read More.