In business, research is key. It is important to make findings on the distributor to use to enhance the sale of your product. In selecting a distributor, you need to be specific, as there are different types of distributors.
Distribution is one of the key elements of marketing. It is the process of ensuring that a product is available for a store or consumer that needs it. Distributors are crucial in helping to reach markets and stores that manufacturers cannot target. This is because a distributor buys products or product lines from a manufacturer and sells them to stores or final consumers.
Distributors for grocery stores serve as an intermediary between manufacturers and grocery stores. Partnering with the right distributor can determine whether a potential buyer (grocery store) will stock a manufacturer’s product.
Distributors for grocery store also have the capacity to provide manpower to a manufacturer’s promotional efforts. They can also provide some services such as, the product’s information, after-sales services, technical support amongst others.
The different types of distributors we have are intensive distributor, selective distributor and exclusive distributor.
The intensive distributor is used when a grocery store needs to sell the products off as quickly as possible. This type of distributors sells many quantities of goods, and at a lower price.
A selective distributor is a specialized distributor who distributes a particular/specific product. An exclusive distributor is used when a grocery store has a niche market and product with targeted end consumers.
An exclusive distributor should be used where you’re maintaining brand integrity and brand image. Posing to the people that you only sell a product from a certain producer/manufacturer.
If you’re in need of a distributor to disburse your product to grocery stores:
- You may ask distributors that you already know if they are available for distributing your own product. You may also ask a distributor if he knows one who is available to be a distributor for your product.
- Ask grocery stores and end-users of your product what distributor they would ideally prefer to buy from.
- Find out the distributors of the products that compete with your own product.
- Write up ads to be put up in industry trade association publications.
- You may also consult directories published by distributors by searching on Google.
Also, when searching for a distributor, there are few things you need to look out for:
- If you have a distributor in mind, observe if such distributor maintains a well-qualified sales force that may be similar with your product (if you’re the manufacturer), and if such distributor has experience in illustrating the benefits of your product to customers.
- Also, note if he has commitment expected for assertive sales and marketing of your products.
- Ensure that your proposed distributor has effective communication with manufacturers he has worked with regarding changes in the sales of products
When deciding a distributor for your product, ensure that he isn’t a distributor for a competitive product.