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Google 2025 AI Business Trends
distribution
Google’s AI Trends Report – What It Means For Distributors  Google’s latest AI trends report identifies five forces reshaping business in 2025. For wholesale distributors, these aren’t just tech industry abstractions—they’re competitive realities
  • Josh Palubicki
  • November 25, 2025
AI in Distribution

Why Your AI Pilots Keep Failing (And Why That’s Actually Fine) 

Expect most pilots to fail. Plan for it. Budget for it.
  • Brian Hopkins
  • November 24, 2025
AI in Distribution

Proton.ai, Revenue Optics Partner to Update Distributors’ Inside Sales Model

Both companies are expanding to support additional customers.
  • Distribution Strategy Group
  • November 23, 2025

Upcoming Programs

  • Upcoming Program

AI News and Gurus: Strategic Insights Lead From Google

Join us on Dec 2, 2025 9PT/12ET as we explore AI and the B2B landscape with Patricia Velázquez, Strategic Insights Lead from Google.
Register Now
  • Upcoming Program

Breakthroughs in Warehouse and Logistics Technology

Join us on Dec. 3, 2025 at 9PT/12ET to discover how breakthroughs in warehouse and logistics technology are transforming supply chains and operations.
Register Now
  • Upcoming Program

How Midsize Distributors Leverage Technology to Compete

Join us on Dec 10, 2025 at 9PT/12ET to learn how midsize distributors modernize systems and use AI to boost efficiency, and growth.
Register Now
  • Upcoming Program

AI for Distributors: 2025 Review and 2026 Preview

Join us on Dec 17, 2025 at 9PT/12ET to explore Real Use Cases and What’s Coming Next for AI in distribution.
Register Now
AI in Distribution

Applied AI for Distributors 2026: Why You Can’t Afford to Sit Out

Attend the only event on real-world AI execution in distribution.
  • Distribution Strategy Group
  • November 20, 2025
AI in Distribution

AI Capex Surge Signals a New Operating Reality for Distributors

Procurement budgets are tightening as organizations redirect capital toward AI infrastructure.
  • Mark Brohan
  • November 19, 2025
news home depot
AI in Distribution

Home Depot Highlights New AI Blueprint Takeoff Tool as Housing Weakens

Home Depot is accelerating its tech investments in the Pro segment, highlighted by a new AI-powered material estimation tool.
  • Mark Brohan
  • November 18, 2025

Recent Reports

State of eCommerce

Navigating Distribution’s New Landscape in 2025

Strategic Approaches for Sustainable Growth

Best Practices to Compete in a Changing Market

Will Amazon Survive the Wrath of Lina Khan?
Distribution Industry Analysis

Will Amazon Survive the Wrath of Khan?

Amazon critic Lina Khan, who has upended antitrust thinking, is the new FTC Chair.
  • Ian Heller
  • June 16, 2021
How to Select, Sell and Deliver the Right Value-Added Services for Your Business
Distribution Marketing

How to Select, Sell and Deliver the Right Value-Added Services for Your Business

It is increasingly important for distributors to add value and differentiate themselves from the competition. Peter Neuberger, CEO of United Performance Metals, shared with
  • Ian Heller
  • June 15, 2021
2021 State of Technology in Distribution: Automating the Customer Journey
Digital Strategy

2021 State of Technology in Distribution: Automating the Customer Journey

Distribution Strategy Group conducted a survey and other primary research about how distributors anticipate ongoing, rapidly changing technologies will affect them, and how and
  • Robert Kelley
  • June 11, 2021
Wholesale Change: How Private Equity Leaders Evaluate Distributors (June 9, 2021)
Wholesale Change Show

Wholesale Change: How Private Equity Leaders Evaluate Distributors (June 9, 2021)

John Schweig, Chairman of the Board at BlackHawk Industrial and Operating Partner at private equity firm Snow Phipps, joined hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan
  • Ian Heller
  • June 9, 2021
It’s Not Your Grandfather’s Industry Anymore
Digital Strategy

It’s Not Your Grandfather’s Industry Anymore

This post previews some of the key findings in the first report based on our research for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors into how
  • Ian Heller
  • June 4, 2021
hand interacting with digital interface
Digital Strategy

Webinar: State of Technology in Distribution

In this webinar our hosts discuss how and where distributors are automating the customer journey, from searching for the right product to the purchase
  • Robert Kelley
  • June 3, 2021
How Satisfied Are Distributors with Their Core Technology Stack
Digital Strategy

How Satisfied Are Distributors with Their Core Technology Stack?

In our recent State of Technology in Distribution survey, we evaluated the core technologies, platforms and products used by distributors to manage their business
  • Jonathan Bein
  • May 27, 2021
Wholesale Change: Distributors’ Quarterly Checkup: Notable Results, Surprises & Market Moves (May 26, 2021)
Wholesale Change Show

Wholesale Change: Distributors’ Quarterly Checkup: Notable Results, Surprises & Market Moves (May 26, 2021)

In our regular quarterly checkup, Wholesale Change hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein dug into public distributors’ earnings reports from Home Depot, Fastenal, CDW,
  • Ian Heller
  • May 26, 2021
The Most Common Mistake Leaders Make in a New Job
Distribution Industry Analysis

The Most Common Mistake Leaders Make in a New Job

The paradox of leaders in new roles is that the lessons they learned in their last jobs are often irrelevant in their new jobs
  • Ian Heller
  • May 19, 2021
Differentiation by Design: Moving the Distribution Industry into 21st Century Goes Beyond Digital
Distribution Sales Strategy

Differentiation by Design: Moving the Distribution Industry into 21st Century Goes Beyond Digital

Peter Jackson, CEO of Miller Industrial Supply, came up in the world of consumer marketing and design before breaking into industrial distribution when he
  • Ian Heller
  • May 17, 2021
Creating Value-Add in a Commoditized Industry
Wholesale Change Show

Wholesale Change: Creating Value-Add in a Commoditized Industry (May 12, 2021)

In this episode Peter Neuberger, President and CEO of United Performance Metals, joined Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein to talk about how the distributor
  • Ian Heller
  • May 12, 2021
5 Reasons Marketing Automation Fails (and How to Give It a Real Chance)
Digital Strategy

5 Reasons Marketing Automation Fails (and How to Give It a Real Chance)

When the ROI of marketing automation isn’t what you expect, don’t retreat to a basic email package. Before you go, get honest about whether
  • Debbie Paul
  • May 10, 2021
lightbulb
Digital Strategy

How Lawson Products Grew Its Enterprise Value by 10x: A Differentiation Case Study for Distributors

Mike DeCata, CEO and president of Lawson Products, loves the way distribution touches all of our lives, and it shows. His impressive career spans
  • Ian Heller
  • May 5, 2021
The Case for Marketing Automation
Digital Strategy

The Case for Marketing Automation in B2B

The scales have shifted. Buyers have evolved in the ways that they prefer to purchase. Technology, digital channels and non-stop connectivity continue to empower
  • Debbie Paul
  • May 3, 2021
The Distributor’s Fee-Based Services Imperative
Wholesale Change Show

Wholesale Change: The Distributor’s Fee-Based Services Imperative (April 28, 2021)

In this episode, Hurtte, of River Heights Consulting, joined Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein to talk about why, if distributors don’t have a plan
  • Ian Heller
  • April 28, 2021
sales person and worker shaking hands
Distribution Marketing

Webinar: State of Sales in Distribution: Part 2

In the second part of this two-part webinar series, Debbie Paul and Ian Heller discuss how to build a sales force that will differentiate
  • Debbie Paul
  • April 21, 2021
A Way Around Amazon: Portfolio Management for Distributors
Distribution Sales Strategy

Wholesale Change: A Way Around Amazon: Portfolio Management for Distributors (April 14, 2021)

Learn how distributors can analyze transactional and customer-provided data to generate industry-specific insights, develop robust benchmarks and tailor advice to match customer objectives.
  • Ian Heller
  • April 14, 2021
Why Distributors’ Customer Churn Management Efforts Aren’t Working
Distribution Marketing

Why Distributors’ Customer Churn Management Efforts Aren’t Working

Few distributors try to predict customer churn. Those that do, get it wrong because of how they define churn. The problem lies in how
  • Benj Cohen
  • April 7, 2021
A growing group of people with one clear leader in front
Distribution Industry Analysis

Distribution, Disrupted: How Associations Can Lead During Uncertain Times

In the wake of COVID-19, there has been plenty of speculation about the role of distribution associations and how they must adapt to disruption,
  • Ian Heller
  • April 2, 2021
Person passing the baton
Wholesale Change Show

Wholesale Change: Breaking Tradition: A Fresh Take on a 100-Year-Old Business (March 31, 2021)

Hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein welcome Peter to the Wholesale Change show to provide his novel perspective on running a distribution company today.
  • Ian Heller
  • April 1, 2021
Why B2B Marketplaces Are Booming Today
Digital Strategy

Why B2B Marketplaces Are Booming Today

Despite early failure rates, B2B marketplaces mounted a major comeback and are rapidly outgrowing company-specific websites in many industries.
  • Ian Heller
  • March 26, 2021
Business person shaking hands with a field worker
Digital Strategy

2021 State of Sales in Distribution: How Consultative Sales Will Differentiate Distributors in the Post-Pandemic Normal

In this free whitepaper, we outline how distributors can build a more consultative and adaptive sales force to differentiate in 2021 and beyond.
  • Debbie Paul
  • March 24, 2021
sales person shaking worker's hand
Distribution Marketing

Webinar: State of Sales in Distribution: Part 1

In this webinar we take a look at the results of the 2021 State of Sales in Distribution survey.
  • Debbie Paul
  • March 24, 2021
3 Distribution Maxims That Are Wrong
Digital Strategy

3 Distribution Maxims That Are Wrong

Measuring profitability by enterprise gross margin is a sledgehammer approach to a problem requiring nuance and precision.
  • Ian Heller
  • March 22, 2021
The Lawson Products Path to Differentiation, feat. Michael DeCata, CEO of Lawson Products
Wholesale Change Show

The Lawson Products Path to Differentiation, feat. Michael DeCata, CEO of Lawson Products (March 17, 2021)

In this episode, DeCata joined Wholesale Change hosts Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein to talk about how Lawson Products is differentiating in today’s market
  • Ian Heller
  • March 17, 2021
How Technology Enables Sales Reps (Instead of Replacing Them)
Digital Strategy

How Technology Enables Sales Reps (Instead of Replacing Them)

With the right technology, sales teams can produce better results — for the customers, the sales reps and your bottom line.
  • Benj Cohen
  • March 10, 2021
How IMARK Group Is Helping Distributors Compete Amid Disruption
Digital Strategy

How IMARK Group Is Helping Distributors Compete Amid Disruption

Co-ops and marketing groups like IMARK Group play a big role in helping independent distributors compete in today’s fast-changing market.
  • Jonathan Bein
  • March 8, 2021
Quarterly Checkup: Beyond the Numbers with Office Depot, Watsco, Motion, The Home Depot and Henry Schein
Wholesale Change Show

Wholesale Change: Beyond the Numbers with Office Depot, Watsco, Motion, The Home Depot and Henry Schein (March 3, 2021)

Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein go beyond the numbers for Office Depot (ODP), Watsco, Henry Schein, The Home Depot and Genuine Parts Co/Motion Industries
  • Ian Heller
  • March 3, 2021
Office Depot
B2B eCommerce

Office Depot Hires Former Amazon Business GM – and That’s Just the Start

In a series of moves, including bringing on the executive who launched Amazon Business, ODP is joining the marketplace war. With a flurry of
  • Ian Heller
  • March 1, 2021
How to Overcome Resistance to Strategic Pricing
Distribution Marketing

How to Overcome Resistance to Strategic Pricing

Learn the secrets to successful strategic pricing implementation and get the results you need with buy-in from your entire team.
  • Ian Heller
  • February 24, 2021
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