Fitbit and Tech Data getting channel in shape with corporate wellness drive

Distributor pushes channel partners towards what it claims is an untapped market

Fitbit and Tech Data are pushing partners to flex their muscles in the corporate wellness market, claiming that resellers are largely ignoring a market set to be worth over $80bn (£61.3bn) globally by 2025.

Tech Data says its wellness initiative can help partners tap into a market that is becoming increasingly important among the channel's customers.

Dave Brassington, business unit director at Tech Data UK, said: "There are around 5.5 million SMBs in the UK and they employ around 16 million people.

"They need staff to perform at their best, so keeping them fit and healthy is a priority.

"Likewise, a workforce that is much more engaged leads to increased productivity and a reduction in attrition rates, so it really is a no-brainer.

"Attracting new talent is also becoming increasingly difficult. As awareness about health and well-being rises, businesses are adopting a variety of health-centric programmes to attract the best talent and to differentiate themselves from their competition. A number of larger corporates have launched schemes in recent times, but we've seen very little activity to target SMBs to date."

Tech Data claims the US market acts as a proof of concept, with penetration levels among SMBs as high as 80 per cent. It claims a "groundswell" in the UK corporate wellness model is now starting to form.

Brassington added: "With Fitbit, small businesses have the capability to encourage employee health and fitness and even run competitions between teams and individual staff members.

"We are on the cusp of a rapid acceleration, so now is the time to start taking the message to our reseller partners and enabling them to take advantage of this growth opportunity."

Tech Data is looking to recruit more resellers as part of the Fitbit partnership, with the distributor saying it will offer enablement for devices and corporate wellness software.