How Distributors Can Compete in the Age of Digital Marketplaces

The rise of digital marketplaces like Amazon Business, Alibaba, and niche B2B platforms has completely changed the playing field for wholesale distributors. These marketplaces offer speed, convenience, and scale that are hard to ignore and even harder to compete with. But that doesn’t mean traditional distributors are obsolete.

In fact, distributors who leverage their strengths such as deep product knowledge, personalized service, and industry-specific expertise can compete. But it requires a bold shift in strategy, technology, and mindset.

Let’s explore how distributors can maintain relevance, add value, and thrive in the age of digital marketplaces and how NSA can help you get there.

The Digital Marketplace Threat…and Opportunity

Digital marketplaces have exploded in recent years, offering customers:

• Vast product catalogs
• Fast, seamless ordering
• Transparent pricing and availability
• Mobile-friendly and automated purchasing experiences

For price-sensitive or commodity-driven buyers, these platforms can be a go-to option. But the flip side? Many lack:

• Specialized product knowledge
• Industry-specific support
• Custom configurations, delivery terms, or services
• Human relationships and problem-solving expertise

This is where distributors can differentiate themselves.

Competing on Value, Not Just Price

To compete in this new environment, distributors need to shift from “order takers” to “solution providers.” That means offering a value-rich experience that a marketplace can’t replicate.

Distributors can compete by:

• Providing technical expertise and product recommendations that save customers time and money
• Offering tailored terms, kits, or configurations that digital platforms can’t match
• Delivering reliability and trust through long-term relationships and consistent support
• Using customer data to anticipate needs and proactively solve problems

But to do this well, you need systems that support it.

How NSA Helps Distributors Compete Digitally

Digital transformation doesn’t mean becoming Amazon, it means becoming a smarter version of you.

At NSA, we help distributors use tools like Infor CloudSuite Distribution and other complementary solutions to:

• Modernize the customer experience with online portals, real-time inventory, and transparent order tracking
• Integrate data across teams for better customer insights and cross-selling opportunities
• Automate repetitive tasks so your team can focus on higher-value customer interactions
• Launch e-commerce capabilities that reflect your unique offerings, not a one-size-fits-all platform

Distributors can and should invest in their own digital presence. But you don’t have to go it alone. NSA is your partner in building a digital strategy that reflects your strengths, not your competitors’.

The Future of Distribution is Hybrid

Customers want the best of both worlds: the ease of digital platforms with the confidence of knowledgeable, human support. The distributors that succeed in the next decade will be the ones who blend automation with insight, technology with trust, and scale with service.

That’s your opportunity.

With NSA by your side, you won’t just keep up, you’ll be creating a customer experience that no marketplace can match.

Ready to Compete on Your Terms?

Let’s talk about how NSA can help you transform your business, digitize your processes, and deliver unbeatable value to your customers both online and off.