DSD’s are Back!
Over the past year we’ve seen a resurgence of our convenience store owners mentioning that they are only being exposed to new products through their direct store delivery distributors. These DSD’s are making a comeback after the economy took a turn where they are now able to afford more inventory, carry more lines of product and are willing to take a risk carrying a “trending” product where they were less likely to before.
In 2015 we saw over 200 new DSD distributors join the Mr. Checkout network that are seeking products from hardware supplies to male enhancement pills. We have also been changing how we work with these distributors to present products to them in a way that is easier for them to understand and easier for them to connect with suppliers.
As our distributors are spending more hours on the road every week, we have found that they have taken to technology to make their day to day business easier. The convenience stores are also shifting in this direction as we have seen a trend of products such as phone cards move digitally where clients can “top-off” their phones in the stores without a call in number and pin code.
All these changes are making 2016 look like a huge year for the next hit product to find it’s way into the american convenience store. What do you think it will be?