Speed and Convenience Cited as Major Advantages of Online Purchasing
CHICAGO, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey of U.S.
businesses, 85 percent of companies currently ordering maintenance, repair and
operating (MRO) supplies through the Internet plan to significantly increase
usage for MRO ordering in the future.
Commissioned by Grainger, North America's leading distributor of MRO
supplies and services, the survey asked 600 purchasing decision-makers
representing small, medium and large businesses to comment on their use of the
Internet for purchasing MRO products. The questions were part of a
comprehensive study of purchasing trends and issues among businesses and
institutions representing construction, manufacturing, transportation,
communications, utilities, hospitality, health care, and education.
When asked about reasons for purchasing MRO materials via the Internet,
two out of three respondents (64%) cited speed and convenience as the major
advantages. Accessibility and accuracy of product information were also
frequently mentioned as additional benefits of online ordering (25% and 20%
respectively).
"The survey shows that although the Internet is currently used by fewer
than one out of ten (8%) companies to order MRO supplies, online ordering via
the Internet is gaining an enthusiastic core of supporters," says Daniel
Hamburger, vice president and general manager, Internet Commerce for Grainger.
"Those experienced with it find it an effective and efficient way to purchase
MRO supplies."
Hamburger believes use of the Internet for purchasing MRO supplies will
increase as Internet access becomes more prevalent, the workforce becomes more
computer literate and more companies make the Internet an everyday tool for
ordering supplies and services. He points out that according to the survey,
49 percent of those not purchasing MRO supplies online lack access to the
Internet, with 10 percent lacking access to a computer. Other barriers to
online ordering cited most often by non-users include perceived lack of
convenience (15%) and the current inability to fit with policies and processes
(9%).
"The survey makes it clear that lack of access is a major barrier to the
growth of online ordering," Hamburger says. "But we believe the Internet is
fast becoming a superior solution. Barriers will fall as companies gain
Internet access and conduct their first transaction. Once they try it, they
like it."
Grainger's online Website at http://www.grainger.com offers state-of-the-art
electronic purchasing services that raise speed and convenience to a new
level. The site provides customers convenient access to more than 200,000
products. It walks registered customers through each step of the ordering
process, allowing them to search for products in several different ways.
Customers can view product availability and customer-specific pricing, as well
as access e-mail support.
Grainger's Web site has been named one of the top ten business-to-business
Internet sites for the past two years by Advertising Age's Business Marketing
Magazine.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 1997 sales of $4.1 billion, is the
leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies and
related information to the commercial, industrial, contractor, and
institutional markets in North America. GWW shares are traded on the New York
and Chicago stock exchanges. For more information, visit Grainger online at
http://www.grainger.com.
SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.grainger.com
CONTACT:
Andrew Lumm of Porter Novelli, 312-856-8816,
for W.W. Grainger, Inc.
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