Suzanne Mattaboni
Suzanne Mattaboni Communications
For D&H Distributing
(610) 261-4560
suzgm@aol.com

For Immediate Release:

SPORTING GOODS RETAILERS CAN LEVERAGE D&H DISTRIBUTING AS A "SHIP DIRECT" RESOURCE TO COMPETE WITH LARGE E-TAILERS

By Utilizing D&H's Warehousing and Shipping Capabilities, SG Retailers Can Broaden Their Offerings and Become More Competitive Against Online "Mega" Retailers

HARRISBURG, PA - April 14, 2014 - D&H Distributing, a leading North American computer products and consumer electronics distributor, wants to help sporting goods retailers compete against large-scale online "e-tailers." Retailers can utilize the extensive inventory and warehousing capabilities of a distribution partner to facilitate a "Direct Ship" fulfillment model that is more comparable to the offerings of tier-one virtual competitors.

Retailers in markets across-the-board have faced challenges when competing with the online shopping paradigm, where consumers can order just about any item though a large-scale online retail site. These e-tailers can offer a nearly unlimited merchandise assortment, since products are physically stored in warehouses and at third-party retail locations across the country. Sporting goods retailers, however, can establish a similar model for their own businesses by leveraging an effective distribution partner, using that distributor's warehouse and shipping capabilities to access a greater scope of inventory, and to expediently and transparently deliver items to the customer.

D&H Distributing offers drop-ship capabilities that allow purchases to be sent directly to the consumer, marked with the retailer's branding. This accommodates quick delivery without the retailer ever having to stock the product, and the distributor's involvement is invisible to the customer. D&H represents more than 85 manufacturers in the sporting goods market, plus hundreds of vendors in complementary vertical markets. The company offers a 45-day inventory of thousands of skus from hundreds of manufacturers. It maintains four distribution centers across the United States, which allows it to deliver to 98.6% of the country in one to two days via ground service.

Such capabilities let retailers offer a considerably expanded range of merchandise, bringing their business models closer to those of the online retailers--often with quicker ship times than online-only companies can accommodate without extra fees. Although certain sporting goods chains use a comparable "ship to store" method, this still relies on a range of merchandise that is limited by the retailer's shelf space from store to store. Distribution not only offers a more expansive and versatile inventory, but it gives retailers access to established, proven logistics.

D&H works with vendors in areas such as team sports, camping, outdoor recreation, exercise and fitness, golf, hunting and fishing, water recreation and more. Manufacturer partners include Coleman, deBeer, GolfBuddy, Gunnar, Izzo, Jansport, Poolmaster, Rawlings, Razor, Stansport, Tour Edge and Wilson, among others.

"Sporting goods retailers need to be agile and strategic if they want to trump the online shopping experience," said Jeff Davis, senior vice president of sales at D&H Distributing. "The use of a distribution partner as a fulfillment center empowers retailers, extending their capabilities. It levels the playing field a bit against the online mega stores."

Retailers can visit www.dandh.com/sports for details.  

About D&H Distributing
As the nation's leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution retailers and resellers, delivering a broad selection of consumer categories, products and applications. The company's offerings span sporting goods, videogaming, outdoor living and home, consumer electronics, small appliances, housewares, in addition to computer and networking products. D&H's multi-market expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.

With an impressive 96-year history serving as a trusted resource in the supply channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service. 

The company ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg, PA, and its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Additional US warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. Call D&H toll-free at 1-800-340-1008 or visit www.dandh.com.

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