The Future of eCommerce: Why a Single Unified Commerce Platform for B2B and DTC is Essential for Consumer Branded Manufacturers
In today’s fast-paced digital world, consumer branded manufacturers are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing both B2B (business to business) and DTC (direct to consumer) sales channels. The question isn’t whether to embrace both approaches—it’s about how to do it efficiently. The answer? A unified commerce platform that integrates both channels, creating a seamless, efficient, and scalable solution for brands.
By adopting future ecommerce trends and using a single platform for managing B2B and DTC, manufacturers can simplify operations, enhance the customer experience, and increase profitability. Here’s why this unified approach is no longer a luxury but a necessity for forward-thinking brands.
Adapting to Future Ecommerce Trends
The rise of ecommerce trends, driven by the “Amazon Effect,” has fundamentally changed how consumers shop. According to eMarketer, eCommerce will exceed 20% of all global retail sales in 2024. This ongoing digital transformation has disrupted the traditional supply chain, empowering manufacturers to bypass intermediaries and connect directly with consumers.
This shift has opened up immense opportunities for consumer branded manufacturers to adopt a direct to consumer strategy. By eliminating the middleman, manufacturers can better control their brand sales channels, engage directly with customers, and leverage valuable customer data to drive decisions. The pandemic further accelerated this trend, pushing brands to prioritize digital channels when brick-and-mortar options were limited.
The Advantages of Going Direct-to-Consumer
Going DTC offers multiple benefits for consumer branded manufacturers, including:
- Improved Profit Margins: Removing intermediaries allows brands to keep a larger share of profits and offer more competitive pricing.
- Brand Control: Direct relationships with consumers enable brands to curate consistent, authentic experiences across all touchpoints.
- Valuable Insights: First-party customer data helps manufacturers understand their audience better, refining marketing strategies and informing product development.
- Higher Trust and Conversion Rates: Many consumers prefer buying directly from the brand, which can lead to higher average order values and conversion rates.
Why is a Unified Commerce Platform the Right Choice?
Managing B2B and DTC operations on separate platforms can be inefficient, costly, and difficult to maintain. A unified eCommerce platform that supports both channels provides a more streamlined, cost-effective, and flexible solution. Here’s why:
- Streamlined Operations: A single platform reduces complexity, making it easier for inventory tracking, order management, and an organized direct to consumer channel
- Cost Efficiency: Consolidating operations onto one unified commerce solution platform reduces the need for multiple vendors and lowers support costs.
- Consistency and Agility: Brands can ensure consistent customer experiences across both B2B and DTC while maintaining the agility to adapt to market ecommerce trends and technological changes.
- Simplified Change Management: With only one platform to manage, training and implementation become more straightforward, allowing businesses to adapt faster to new systems and processes.
Overcoming Challenges with a Unified Approach
Some businesses may be tempted to use multiple platforms to manage their B2B and DTC operations. However, this can lead to inefficiencies, higher costs, and a lack of agility. A single, multi-tenant solution offers the flexibility and scalability needed to compete in today’s eCommerce-driven market. By executing this strategy effectively, brands can deliver tailored solutions for both B2B and DTC customers without sacrificing operational efficiency.
Conclusion: Unifying for Success
In a world where digital commerce and customer expectations are constantly evolving, consumer branded manufacturers must prioritize efficiency, customer experience, and data-driven strategies. A unified commerce platform is no longer optional—it’s essential for navigating these complexities and thriving in the competitive landscape.
By consolidating B2B and DTC efforts onto a single platform, brands can unlock the full potential of digital transformation. The result? Streamlined operations, multi channel inventory management, deeper customer relationships, and a stronger bottom line. Investing in a unified commerce solution today ensures your brand is positioned for long-term growth and innovation.
Embrace the future of eCommerce by unifying your efforts. Contact us at Mi9 to learn more about how our platform helps brands succeed across both B2B and DTC channels.