Cover Stories

As sales of office products slow, independents look for different categories to grow sales. Coffee, snacks and cleaning supplies are just a few of the non-office products items that dealers sell today to enable them to grow sales and market share. By Michael Chazin Dealers have almost always sold other product categories in addition to…

Dealers active in janitorial sales have increased their knowledge, added experienced staff and started to compete at a much higher level. Success has opened up sales for new product lines and expanded sales of existing products. By Michael Chazin In the last decade distribution of janitorial supplies has changed dramatically as increasing numbers of independent…

While technology has made many business tasks less onerous in the 21st century, one task that hasn’t become any easier is finding and recruiting new employees, especially new salespeople. Derek Hartsfield, managing partner at Gazillion Office Products, Frisco, Texas, says he goes after hiring new salespeople as aggressively as he goes after acquiring new business…

Technology can be the great equalizer, setting dealers up to be competitive against all comers. Our annual dealer technology survey looks at how independents are using business automation, digital marketing and social media and other technology resources to help level the playing field. By Michael Chazin   BMI: Webstore development leads to full system conversion…

The safety product category promises more sales with existing customers, while at the same time it opens the door to whole new customer groups Dealers looking for a way to make up for declining sales of office products need to take a hard look at the safety category, which offers some real growth opportunities according…

Distribution disruptions grow, acquisitions continue and uncertainty reigns; just how can independents plan for the year ahead and identify which strategies will continue to reap rewards?   By Michael Chazin What does 2019 look like for your business? While many dealers across the country admit concern about current industry turbulence and how it will all…

In today’s highly competitive marketplace a strong brand can help a dealer stand out in every customer interaction By Michael Chazin   Given today’s fiercely competitive market for office supplies it is increasingly important for dealers to maintain a strong brand presence. “The landscape in which independent dealer operate in is one with enormous competitors,”…

Although budgets remain tight there seems to be a resurgence in school sales Across the country school systems are expanding and new schools are being built. New school construction currently stands at roughly $49 billion annually according to a coalition of organizations led by the 21st Century School Fund and the National Council on School…