The Coming Commoditization of Distribution, Part I

This multipart series will explore the convergence of trends that is both drawing and enabling these new competitors and others into the distribution market.

Long spared the intrusions of outside entrants armed with enormous capital and cutting-edge technology, the $6-trillion distribution industry in the U.S. has benefited from limited competition, mostly between long-time incumbents. To those who’ve spent years or decades in distribution, that sort of competition seemed difficult enough to overcome. 

After all, firms like Sonepar, Grainger, Arrow Electronics, McKesson Pharmaceuticals…