Technology and Collaboration Power Added Value and Increased Competitive Advantage

Distributors face many of the same cost and compliance issues as their chain operator and retailer partners. But one of the biggest challenges for distributors is increasing competition. Like operators and retailers, distributors must find ways to not only cut costs, but also to take those savings and reinvest in their service offering to deliver increasing value for their customers and suppliers.

At ArrowStream, we provide distributors with a method to differentiate from the competition through supply chain strategy. In a highly competitive market, distributors must take greater strides in strengthening their relationships with chain operators. They can differentiate themselves by finding new ways to add value. One way is to integrate their product offering into the chain operator’s or retailer’s management systems. By contributing item, pricing, inventory and shipping data via our secure online software solutions, distributors add significant value for their operator and retailer customers through more efficient communication that translates into reduced administrative cost and greater opportunities to generate revenue for both distributor and retailer. And when distributors allow us to manage their inbound freight volume through our logistics network with ArrowStream Logistics, the distributor and their chain operator or retailer customers gain perpetual and increasing savings.

Sharing in the supply chain is a strategically smart move for distributors. By sharing in the operator’s or retailer’s logistics network, and by sharing data through the online software solutions, the distributor becomes an integral part of the chain’s operations and further cements the distributor – operator or distributor - retailer partnership.