LATEST ISSUE

Cover Story: Vis-coms: Seeing is believing: Many dealers find white boards an easy and profitable sell, but that’s not to say there are no challenges, Lisa Veeck finds out more
The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents
Secrets of Success: 1st Source Business Supplies, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Plus: Industry News; WSA updates; Mike Gentile reflects on his tenure at ISG; Troy Harrison on the difference between “training” and “learning”; Marisa Pensa on empowerment over exhaustion; Mara Gannon on how B2B is changing; and more.

Download the printable pdf version here
Having problems with the download? E-mail us and we'll send you a pdf.

Archive

  • All
  • 2007-2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
September/October 2023

September/October 2023

Cover Story: Breakroom breakthroughs: As we return to the office, more importance is being placed on the breakroom. Find out how independents can take advantage The Winner’s Circl
Detail
August 2023

August 2023

Cover Story: Branching out - Find out how dealers have begun delving into more unusual areas to increase their customer base and profits The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening
Detail
June/July 2023

June/July 2023

Cover Story: Part of the furniture: There has been growth in furniture sales since the pandemic; but is that growth sustainable? The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to inde
Detail
May 2023

May 2023

Cover Story: Health and Wellness: the segment is alive and well The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: The Orange Stationer, Orange, Texas
Detail
March/April 2023

March/April 2023

Cover Story: Tech Tips: We talk to independents about their choice of technology provider The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Spry Inc.
Detail
February 2023

February 2023

Cover Story: Jan/san - Winning by a landslide: Why independent dealers shouldn’t let falling mask sales deter them The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secr
Detail
Dec 22/Jan 23

Dec 22/Jan 23

Cover Story: Will the rollercoaster ride continue: Dealers share insights into the top trends for 2023 The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Succe
Detail
November 2022

November 2022

Cover Story: Safety First: In a world that is more health conscious than in pre-COVID-19 times, why now is a great time to consider the potential of the safety sector The Winner’s
Detail
September/October 2022

September/October 2022

Cover Story:Back From the Break: How companies are adapting their breakrooms to encourage employees to return to the office and appeal to the next generations The Winner’s Circle:
Detail
August 2022

August 2022

Cover Story: Filling the Gap: dealers explain how they have weathered the COVID-19 storm thus far and are anticipating further shifts in the future The Winner’s Circle: Good thing
Detail
June/July 2022

June/July 2022

Cover Story: The Power of Green: why sustainability is good for business The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Walker’s Office Supply, Ro
Detail
May 2022

May 2022

Cover Story: A Fresh Look at Furniture The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Hummel’s Office Plus, Mohawk, New York Plus: Industry New
Detail
March/April 2022

March/April 2022

Cover Story: Tech talk: we take a look at the latest technology offerings available to the IDC and how dealers are utilizing them to best advantage The Winner’s Circle: Good thing
Detail
February 22

February 22

Cover Story: The Race is On: how the IDC is becoming increasingly adept at winning customers from other jan/san resellers The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to...
Detail
December 21/January 22

December 21/January 22

Cover Story: Looking ahead to 2022 The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Eaton Office Supply, Amherst, New York Plus: Esse...
Detail
November 2021

November 2021

Breaking: Dealer consortium SCIG debuts plans for new delivery platform for IDC Cover Story: Print + Promotions = Profits The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independen
Detail
October 2021

October 2021

Cover Story: Independent dealers make the grade in the education market The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Latsons.com, Su...
Detail
September 2021

September 2021

LATEST ISSUE Cover Story: Breaking Away From The Traditional Breakroom The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Office Solutions ...
Detail
August 2021

August 2021

Cover Story: Dealers’ Dos and Don’ts of Digital Marketing The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Rocky Mountain Business Products, Denver,
Detail
JULY 2021

JULY 2021

Cover Story: Tech Accessories: Chargers, Cables and the Art of Connecting – Should dealers to delve deeper into the technology accessory business? The Winner’s Circle: Good things
Detail
May/June 2021

May/June 2021

Cover Story: The Future of Office Furniture – With the pandemic on the wane, employees are heading back to the workplace, if they haven’t already. What opportunities does the “new
Detail
March/April 2021

March/April 2021

Cover Story: Technology Here and Now – We’re all guilty of kicking the proverbial can down the road at times, but when it comes to technology, that would be a grave mistake in toda
Detail
January/February 2021

January/February 2021

Cover Story: COVID-19 upended the world as we knew it in 2020, creating untold challenges and disruption, but also unprecedented opportunities. With the virus still not under contr
Detail
November/December 2020

November/December 2020

Cover Story: While the pandemic has hurt many dealers’ traditional office supplies sales, the channel has enjoyed some success with jan/san and PPE. We have also witnessed the birt
Detail
September/October 2020

September/October 2020

Cover Story: The Wild Wild West: The jan/san sector has seen a considerable uptick in recent months. But while dealers across the country have shifted focus to maximize opportuniti
Detail
July/August 2020

July/August 2020

Cover Story: Coping with COVID: As we pass the half-year mark and business starts to return to some form of normal—whatever that may be—how has the IDC been weathering the COVID-19
Detail
May/June 2020

May/June 2020

Cover Story: Virtually There: With this year’s NeoCon canceled we take a look at some of the latest offerings available from office furniture and accessories vendors. The Winner’s
Detail
April 2020

April 2020

Covid-19 Update: ID Reader Survey Results Cover Story: Recruiting Risks: Finding and hiring the best new employees is just the start of the process; you then have to acclimate the
Detail
March 2020

March 2020

COVER STORY: Technology Triumph: The latest dealer technology can improve operations and increase profitability in so many ways. Here is a look at the most popular systems and the
Detail
February 2020

February 2020

COVER STORY: Blackboard Business: No matter where a dealer is located, selling to schools can be a viable path to increased sales Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to indepen
Detail
January 2020

January 2020

COVER STORY: Buckle up for 2020: Dealers expect positive growth in 2020 against a backdrop of changing industry dynamics, unprecedented change and growing anxiety Winner’s Circle:
Detail
December 2019

December 2019

COVER STORY: Project progress: There are a host of ancillary projects and services that dealers can sell in conjunction with furniture projects, we find out more.... Winner’s Circ
Detail
November 2019

November 2019

COVER STORY: Break Room, Break Through: How dealers can set themselves up as the number one source for breakroom snacks, beverages and accoutrements The Winner’s Circle: Good thin
Detail
October 2019

October 2019

COVER STORY: Coolly Competitive: Independence comes with many ways to attack your market and win The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents Secrets of Success: Hi
Detail
September 2019

September 2019

COVER STORY: Maximize MPS: How any dealer can successfully sell managed print services and open the door to increased tech sales The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to inde
Detail
August 2019

August 2019

COVER STORY: Happy and Healthy: The health and wellness category is gaining traction, find about more about the products in demand The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to in
Detail
July 2019

July 2019

COVER STORY: Product Proliferation: As sales of office products slow, independents look for different categories to grow sales. The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to indep
Detail
June 2019

June 2019

COVER STORY: Sanitation superiority: How dealers active in janitorial sales have started to compete at a much higher level. The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Indepen
Detail
May 2019

May 2019

COVER STORY: Furniture Focus: Make sure your furniture efforts are primed and ready to go The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: OPACS
Detail
April 2019

April 2019

COVER STORY: Do the hiring hustle: How independents are finding innovative ways to find and recruit the best salespeople? The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independe
Detail
March 2019

March 2019

COVER STORY: Tech Triumphs: Technology, the Great Equaliser? The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: The Office Shop – Aitkin, Minnesota
Detail
February 2019

February 2019

Cover Story: Safety Sales Success: The safety product category promises more sales with existing customers, while opening the door to whole new customer groups? The Winner’s Cir
Detail
January 2019

January 2019

COVER STORY: Heading Into 2019: How can independents plan for the year ahead and which strategies will continue to reap rewards? The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Inde
Detail
December 2018

December 2018

COVER STORY: Strong Brands Build Business: in today’s highly competitive marketplace a strong brand can help a dealer stand out The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Ind
Detail
November 2018

November 2018

COVER STORY: A+ For School Sales: Although budgets remain tight there seems to be a resurgence in school sales Independent Dealer Staples-Essendant Reader Survey Results The
Detail
October 2018

October 2018

COVER STORY: Navigating the New Competitive Landscape The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Butler Business Products, Houston Plus
Detail
September 2018

September 2018

Control Costs: Make Your Dealership More Profitable EPIC 2018 Show Preview The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Plus, Secrets of Success: Beckley’s O
Detail
August 2018

August 2018

Sanitation Sales Success: Grow Sales and Gain Market Share S.P. Richards ABC Preview The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Plus, Secrets of Success: C
Detail
July 2018

July 2018

Growing Market Share: Top Tips on Ways to Rise Above the Crowd The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Hoppstetters Plus, Rick Marle
Detail
June 2018

June 2018

COVER STORY: The Next Big Thing: Alternative Revenue Streams for Your Business The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Apex Office Prod
Detail
May 2018

May 2018

Open For Business: How to grow furniture sales in the modern workplace Industry reaction to Essendant/S.P. Richards deal Industry news: No more EPIC show Plus, The Winner’
Detail
April 2018

April 2018

Grow Your Business with Ad Specialties and Custom Products The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: McGarity’s Business Products Plus
Detail
March 2018

March 2018

Profit Power-Ups: Our Annual Dealer Technology Update The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Office Source 360 Plus, Independent de
Detail
February 2018

February 2018

Getting Your Sales Team in Shape The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success: Best Office Solutions Meet the New Team at ID Plus, Paul
Detail
January 2018

January 2018

New owners for your e-zine—see this month’s editorial and Industry News section Outlook 2018 The Winner’s Circle: Good Things Happening to Independents Secrets of Success:
Detail
2007-2017

2007-2017

December 2017 COVER STORY: Warming Up Those Cold Calls; EDITORIAL: They Still Don’t Get Small Business in Washington, DC; The Winner's Circle; Secrets of Success: Herald Office
Detail

About us

At this time of consolidation, change and increased competition, it has never been more important for independent office supply dealers to work together, share best practices and celebrate their achievements.

That is what Independent Dealer Magazine is all about. Every month, we bring you in-depth coverage of dealer success stories and growth opportunities ... from emerging product categories, hot new vertical markets and ways to boost productivity and efficiency. Plus, you'll find regular columns from industry consultants Krista Moore, Marisa Pensa and Jennifer Schulman, sales training expert Troy Harrison, office moves veteran Ed Katz and NOPA/OFDA government affairs director Paul Miller.

If you like what you see on our web site, subscribe to Independent Dealer today!

Subscribe

Advertise with us

There's never been a more important time to put yourself directly in front of your independent dealer customers.

With the number of trade shows on the decline, consolidation, increased pressure on sales and marketing budgets, and dealerships getting into more and more product lines, a platform to give your brands regular exposure, direct to your customers, is what’s required.

Independent Dealer is published by leading trade media organization OPI, and celebrates the successes of today's independents and their trading partners, and turns the spotlight on the opportunities to make them even stronger and more profitable. It is distributed digitally to over 7,000 independent dealer executives in North America every month.

Advertising information & rate cards

Contact us

We would like to hear from you

Rowan McIntyre Chris Turness Lisa Veeck Steve Hilleard Andy Braithwaite Paul Miller
Rowan McIntyre

Rowan McIntyre

Editor & Publisher

Rowan McIntyre is an experienced B2B journalist who is excited to be spending more time concentrating on the U.S. business supplies sector. From 2014-19, he edited the show guide for TriMega and Independent Stationers’ EPIC event and has contributed editorially to OPI since 2008. In his current role as Editor & Publisher at ID, he hopes to continue the great traditions of the magazine by sharing your triumphs and trying to help you understand potential industry obstacles now and in the future. Please reach out to Rowan if you have any news to share. He would love to hear from you.

(703) 531.8507  |  Rowan@IDealercentral.com

Chris Turness

Chris Turness

Head of Media Sales

Chris Turness leads the Independent Dealer sales team. Chris joined OPI 12 years ago and is currently head of media sales. In his previous role, Chris was responsible for the management and development of customer accounts in North America, making him well acquainted with the U.S. business products industry and a regular attendee at the major trade events. He has more than 20 years’ experience in sales with 15 of those being in media. He is a fitness fanatic and has a collection of sneakers to rival Kanye.

(703) 596 4302 •  Chris@IDealercentral.com

Lisa Veeck

Lisa Veeck

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa Veeck is the owner of Clean Communications, a full-service content-generating firm specializing in the office products, cleaning and maintenance, and healthcare fields. Her previous experience includes 24 years with ISSA—the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. Her last position was as global communications and editorial director, overseeing ISSA’s digital and print publications, websites and other communications.

Veeck’s work appears in national and international trade and consumer publications, corporate websites and social media platforms. In addition to operating her own company and serving as associate editor of INDEPENDENT DEALER magazine, she serves on the advisory board of The Infection Prevention Strategy, an organization dedicated to researching and bringing to market innovations in the healthcare, cleaning and safety fields.

(773) 484-7412   •  Lisa@IDealercentral.com

Steve Hilleard

Steve Hilleard

CEO  |  LONDON, UK

Steve Hilleard is CEO of OPI, Independent Dealer’s parent company since it was acquired in January 2018. A former dealer owner himself, Steve has worked in the office supplies industry for 30 years, with the last 25 years as a media guy at OPI.  Steve is the second longest serving member of the Executive Committee of the National Business Products Council for City of Hope and a recipient of its ‘Shining Star’ award in 2007. He also chairs the judging panel for the annual European Office Products Awards and the North American Office Products Awards.

(312) 957.8510  •  steve@idealercentral.com

 

Andy Braithwaite

Andy Braithwaite

CONTRIBUTOR  |  AVIGNON, FRANCE

Andy Braithwaite has been writing about the office products/business supplies industry since 2001 and will be a familiar name to those Independent Dealer subscribers who also read OPI where he has occupied a variety of editorial roles since 2008. Although based in France, Andy has a deep knowledge of the U.S. office supply sector and an even stronger understanding of the key issues that are currently impacting the independent reseller channel. Andy will continue to be a regular attendee at key industry events in the U.S. and, through Independent Dealer, hopes to use his market knowledge and contacts to provide interesting and relevant content for the IDC in North America.

+33 (4) 32 62 71 07  •  andy.braithwaite@opi.net

Paul Miller

Paul Miller

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Principal  |  Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies  |  Fairfax, Virginia

Paul Miller is a founding partner in Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC, providers of direct and grassroots lobbying, legislative and regulatory tracking, advocacy planning and implementation and related services.

Before setting up Miller/Wenhold, Miller served as government affairs director for the National Office Products Alliance and the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (NOPA/OFDA), where he scored notable wins for independent dealers by securing a greater role for them in the government market through their selection under the Dept. of the Army”s current Blanket Purchase Agreement for Office Supplies and played a key leadership role in the effort to end Federal Prison Industries” preferred status as a sole source provider to government for office furniture.

In addition to his lobbying and regulatory monitoring activities, Paul also provides consulting services to businesses on selling to the federal, state and local government markets.

(703) 934.0219  •  PMiller@mwcapitol.com

Our Partners

LATEST ISSUE

Cover Story: Vis-coms: Seeing is believing: Many dealers find white boards an easy and profitable sell, but that’s not to say there are no challenges, Lisa Veeck finds out more
The Winner’s Circle: Good things happening to independents
Secrets of Success: 1st Source Business Supplies, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Plus:Industry News; WSA updates; Mike Gentile reflects on his tenure at ISG; Troy Harrison on the difference between “training” and “learning”; Marisa Pensa on empowerment over exhaustion; Mara Gannon on how B2B is changing; and more.

Download the printable pdf version here
Having problems with the download? E-mail us and we'll send you a pdf.