NAIROBI, Kenya- Schneider Electric East Africa has unveiled a game-changing eCommerce platform designed to simplify procurement for its expansive product portfolio.
Targeting everyone from resellers to building managers, this digital leap bridges a crucial gap in the market, streamlining access to essential energy solutions.
The newly launched platform caters to a wide audience, including tier 2 channels like resellers, indirect panel builders, and system integrators, as well as industry maintenance teams, building managers, and even retail customers.
Geraldine Sande, Channel Sales Leader for Schneider Electric East Africa, calls this move a “significant step towards modernizing the procurement process” while enhancing the company’s market visibility.
Featuring products from its Home and Building, Power Products, Industry Business, Digital Energy, and Access to Energy portfolios, the platform is especially beneficial for residential customers who previously traveled long distances to access these products.
Sande emphasizes the platform’s ability to meet the needs of “specifiers”—professionals drafting bills of quantities (BOQs) or requests for quotations (RFQs)—and companies requiring robust supply chains for maintenance.
“This ensures everyone has easy access to the products they need without intermediary intervention,” Sande adds.
While there are concerns among resellers about market erosion, Sande reassures stakeholders that the platform is designed to complement—not replace—existing distribution channels. She highlights that distributors benefit in several ways:
- Boosting Sales Volume: By connecting directly with consumers, the platform creates demand for distributor-stocked products.
- Streamlining Inventory Management: By drawing stock directly from distributor warehouses, the system reduces overhead costs related to unsold items.
- Encouraging Bulk Purchases: Distributors enjoy preferential pricing, incentivizing resellers to buy in volume and improve profit margins.
“Distributors often hold significant inventory, and this platform provides them a new channel to reach previously untapped customers, creating incremental business opportunities,” says Sande.
Schneider Electric’s decision to establish an eCommerce platform was driven by the need for a stronger digital footprint. According to Sande, many customers were unaware of Schneider’s presence in Kenya due to the lack of a dedicated website, which is set to go live in 2025.
“Customers often found our partners listed on other Schneider subsidiary platforms, which was not ideal. This eCommerce site ensures our products are discoverable and accessible without reliance on traditional distribution channels,” she explains.
Schneider Electric’s eCommerce initiative reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.
It’s a win-win for all stakeholders—enhancing access, boosting sales for distributors, and improving inventory management—all while solidifying Schneider’s market presence in East Africa.
